Chelsea to negotiate personal terms with Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran, impacting Conor Gallagher’s future

Chelsea has received permission from Aston Villa to start contract talks with Jhon Duran, agreeing on a £40 million fee.

Chirag

June 14, 2024

Chelsea Seek Jhon Duran — Michael Regan/Getty Images

Chelsea have received approval from Aston Villa to begin contract negotiations with Jhon Duran as they continue their pursuit of a top striker. According to The Telegraph, the two Premier League clubs have tentatively agreed on a £40 million ($50.7m) transfer fee. Chelsea had previously attempted to sign the Colombian during the winter transfer window, but his injury at the time stalled any progress.

This deal may prompt Aston Villa to target Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen and Conor Gallagher. Maatsen, who impressed during his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund under Edin Terzic, has a £35 million release clause that Dortmund is unwilling to meet. Consequently, Unai Emery’s team is now considering a move for him. Additionally, Villa hopes that acquiring Duran might facilitate a smoother negotiation process for Gallagher.

However, The Telegraph notes potential challenges in the contract talks between Duran and Chelsea. The Blues prefer to offer a “long, incentivized contract” rather than immediately providing high wages, aiming to assess Duran’s character, who is regarded as an “unusual” individual.

Chelsea aims to finalize the Duran deal by the end of this month to prepare for Enzo Marseca’s first season. Any potential deals involving Gallagher and Maatsen are likely to be resolved only after the conclusion of their Euros campaign.