Chelsea to make late move for Aston Villa star if Serie A striker bid fails as midfielder 'considers options'

Chelsea could make on last-ditch bid to tempt Aston Villa into selling striker Jhon Duran if their move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen collapses.

Despite a hectic summer of transfer activity at Stamford Bridge, the Blues hierarchy remain keen to add another striker to Enzo Maresca’s squad before the summer transfer window comes to a close at 11pm on Friday night. Chelsea frontman Romelu Lukaku is on the verge of leaving the club on a permanent basis as he edges ever closer to a return to Serie A with Napoli in a move that could play a significant role in seeing Nigerian international Osimhen heading in the opposite direction in a separate deal. Tuesday also brought reports Chelsea have approached London neighbours Brentford over a possible move for England star Ivan Toney - although there is significant interest and a sizeable offer from Saudi Arabia Pro League club Al-Ahli.

With both deals yet to be confirmed, Football Insider have claimed Chelsea will turn their attention towards a big money move for Villa star Duran within the final hours of the window. The Colombia striker has been at the centre of transfer speculation throughout the summer and was believed to be close to a move to Premier League rivals West Ham United last month. Duran was reprimanded by Villa after doing a ‘crossed Hammers’ gesture on his social media accounts but the move failed to come to fruition and West Ham turned their attention towards a successful bid for Niclas Fullkrug.

Speaking after Duran scored in Villa’s 2-1 win at West Ham earlier this month, Emery said of the striker: “We believe in him and his potential. We are open to working with him like he did today, helping the team, being available when we need him and today he was fantastic. With Watkins not feeling 100 per cent we prepared the plan for today to use both players over 90 minutes. Always I am very committed with him to get the best out of him as a player and even as a person.

“Some mistakes we have to accept and of course not repeat it. At the beginning I wanted him here and nothing changed after the match today. We were before, with every player, open in case a big offer comes in, and one of those players is him. But we know his potential and we know if he is leaving the offer is good for the club. But I don’t want him to leave.”

Despite Emery’s comments, the Football Insider report claims a Villa source has suggested Duran could well leave Villa Park before Friday’s deadline if a new striker is added to Emery’s ranks.

Meanwhile, there could be two exits from Villa over the next 48 hours after The Athletic reported La Liga club Valencia are interested in taking summer signing Enzo Barrenechea on a season-long loan. However, the deal is not yet in place and the report suggests it could ‘hinge on Leander Dendoncker, who will explore options in next 48 hrs’.