Chelsea have just made a move to sign £40m-rated striker and deal could be done quickly

Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Aston Villa’s Colombian striker Jhon Duran, according to reports in his home country. The Blues have been in the market for a striker, having first been linked to Victor Osimhen, then Benjamin Sesko, who has decided to stay in Germany, before reigniting interest in the Villa man.

En La Jugada reports that Chelsea have an agreement with Villa for Duran for more than double the price they paid the MLS franchise, with the deal set to close at £40 million. Last summer, Chelsea were interested in the Colombian striker but dropped their interest and turned attention to Sesko.

The 21-year-old’s decision to stay in Germany has seen Chelsea move quickly to accelerate talks with Villa to sign Duran this week, LondonWorld has been exclusively told. Despite being a backup to Ollie Watkins, Duran bagged five league goals, eight in total if you add Cup and Europa League games.

Last month, Duran’s agent Jonathan Herrera hinted he could be on his way out after admitting game time was an issue for the ambitious player. He told El VBar Caracol in Colombia: "He is a player who has a contract with Aston Villa, he ended up doing very well, and the coach is counting on him. It is a club that, having got into the Champions League, is a great opportunity, but we know he wants to play, he wants to go out and play, we are going to see.

"Now the market is opening up, the club is looking at some options, and so are we. The interest [from Chelsea] has always been there. The fact that Pochettino continues or leaves the club [shouldn’t affect], the one who wants him in the end is the club.

"He is a player that, if they change coach or not, we will see what happens, but there has always been interest. Let’s see how we can handle it and make sure Aston Villa are ready."

Chelsea looking to sell as much as they buy

Chelsea are likely to sell Armando Broja, with Southampton and clubs abroad looking at him. Romelu Lukaku is also likely to be sold this summer, with the team counting on Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku to lead the line.

The future of players like Conor Gallagher, who LondonWorld has been told wants to stay at Chelsea, is still up in the air, with Chelsea open to selling for a fee in the region of £50 million. Ian Maatsen and Trevoh Chalobah are also likely to depart Stamford Bridge this summer.