Chelsea ramp up interest in Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran after missing out on RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko

Chelsea have rekindled interest in Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran but the Colombian is valued at £40million.

Villa are in the process of negotiating the sale of Douglas Luiz to Juventus in exchange for £17m plus Weston McKennie and Samuel Iling-Junior. 

They are generating funds to stay within Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and are willing to sell Duran too. 

Chelsea had been in the chase with Arsenal for Red Bull Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko but he is to sign a new contract with the Bundesliga side on Wednesday. 

Aston Villa and Colombia forward Jhon Duran could be on his way to Chelsea this summer

Chelsea are no longer looking to sign Benjamin Sesko as he has decided to stay at RB Leipzig

Duran netted eight goals in 37 appearances for Villa across all competitions last season

Duran has been a target for Chelsea since January.

Earlier this year, fans spotted that Duran had been frequently liking Chelsea-related posts on social media. 

Dominic Solanke is also understood to be on Chelsea’s list of targets but the Bournemouth frontman – who spent most of his youth-team career with the Blues – would likely cost a lot more than Duran.

Duran moved to Villa in January 2023 when he arrived from MLS side Chicago Fire for an £18 million transfer fee.

Twenty-year-old Duran could be Chelsea’s first signing under new manager Enzo Maresca

He has since featured in 23 Premier League games but started in only three, with Ollie Watkins firmly ahead of him in the striking pecking order at Villa Park.

Villa have an interest in Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher but no swap deal has been discussed at this stage.