Chelsea 'closely monitoring' Jhon Durán and West Ham are also interested

Chelsea bought several attackers in the transfer window this summer, but none of them were an outright striker. However, the team is producing good results and seems ready to fight to finish in the top four.

A promising start to life under Enzo Maresca has not deterred the Blues from looking for opportunities to sign players in 2025. Villa AstonJhon Durán is the latest to be linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.

Give Me Sport reported that Chelsea are “keeping a close eye” on Durán but faces competition from western hamwith a deal possible in January 2025 or next year's summer transfer window.

He was also linked with a move away from Aston Villa in the recently concluded window, but Unai Emery refused to let the Colombia international go as he is considered a very reliable back-up for Ollie Watkins.

Indeed, that has been the case for Durán, who has already scored five goals this season despite playing extremely limited minutes, although the young forward has still found it difficult to get regular playing time.

West Ham are likely to attract Durán more than Chelsea

Chelsea will be able to offer Jhon Durán the chance to play European football regularly, perhaps in the future. champions leaguebut it remains to be seen if he could start given that Nicolas Jackson appears to be the first-choice striker.

The former Villarreal goalscorer is Enzo Maresca's preferred option to lead his line and even if Durán were to join Chelsea to seek more minutes compared to Villa, that might not be the case.

At West Ham, however, he would have a long-term future as a replacement for Michail Antonio. Niklas Fullkrug, who arrived from Borussia Dortmund earlier this summer, failed in the final third, prompting the Hammers to consider signing another striker.

Durán, valued at just £16 million at TransfermarktHowever, he may have to wait until next summer for a transfer as Emery might not be willing to let go of a major secondary option mid-season.