Chelsea is cautious to move forward with a deal for Jhon Duran, the attacker for Aston Villa, and has cooled their interest in him.
The Blues’ primary goal for this summer is to sign a new striker to support Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku.
Earlier in the month, Duran became an unexpected target for Villa, who were asking for a fee of almost £40 million.
The Colombian international, who had developed a reputation as something of a renegade, was reportedly the subject of background investigations by Chelsea.
In Duran’s one and only season at Villa, the club was more than happy with his application; Chelsea, however, are reportedly hesitant, according to the Telegraph.
Additionally, it’s said that the 20-year-old’s pay demands turned off the Blues, as the west London club has already demonstrated this summer that they would not be kept hostage.
Earlier this week, Chelsea withdrew from the competition to sign Michael Olise, who was headed to Bayern Munich, due to demands made by the France youth international on personal issues.
Chelsea have been carrying out background checks on Jhon Duran
Maximilian Beier is on Chelsea’s transfer radar
Having invested heavily in young talent over the course of Todd Boehly’s ownership, Chelsea would rather reward their existing talent, rather than propel new signings immediately to the top of their wage bill.
Chelsea is currently looking at other possibilities and may make a bid for Maximilian Beier, the striker for Hoffenheim, after their ambitions to buy Duran have been shelved.
Ian Maatsen is about to make a transfer to Chelsea, while Chelsea has reached an agreement with Villa to acquire adolescent Omari Kellyman for a fee of £19 million.
with the preseason, Kellyman will play with Chelsea’s first team, but to get regular first team football the following season, he’ll probably be loaned away.