Chelsea 'watching on' as Aston Villa 'make call' for £14.8m Premier League attacker

Aston Villa have made their call, rebuffing an offer from fellow Premier League side West Ham United for striker Jhon Duran, while Chelsea are watching on with a keen eye.

The Colombia international, who signed for Villa from Chicago Fire in January 2023 for a fee in the region of £14.8 million plus add-ons, is eager to play more minutes in the Premier League. As it stands, Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby are all ahead of Duran in the attacking pecking order, meaning extra game time is unlikely at Villa Park.

West Ham and Chelsea probably wouldn't be able to offer Duran much more assurance, though, so those moves might not be overly appealing. Nonetheless, The Athletic reports the Hammers have made an official offer to Villa for Duran, proposing a loan until the end of the season and a buy option. Chelsea are yet to make any approach but are interested.

Unai Emery is unwilling to let Duran go at this stage as he wants at least two out-and-out striking options for the rest of the campaign. The manager also believes Duran, who is still only 20 years of age, has the potential to become a world-class player in the future. He has four goals in 23 appearances this term.

Morgan Rogers asking price unveiled

In other transfer news, Villa have been told Middlesbrough's asking price for versatile forward Morgan Rogers stands at £10 million. The former West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City attacker has been the subject of two failed bids from the Villans in the last few days, with Boro sticking firm to their valuation.

If an agreement can be struck for Rogers to make the transfer, Villa could be a little more willing to let Duran go. Even so, there's no guarantee of that with Emery confident about the Colombian's potential.