Report: £40m player Chelsea have been chasing could now join West Ham

They are yet to sign a striker for the senior squad, though Guiu could end up being that forward addition for the first team.

In fact, it has already been claimed that he will stay to work under Enzo Maresca this upcoming season. Before his arrival, Chelsea were being heavily linked with Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran.

West Ham interested in recent Chelsea target

Chelsea finished last season with Nicolas Jackson as the only recognised centre-forward in their squad.

It explains the club’s interest in Duran.

However, that looks to have cooled, giving West Ham and Julen Lopetegui an opportunity to swoop in and sign him.

According to talkSPORT, Chelsea have been pursuing Duran since the January transfer window, but the 20-year-old is now on West Ham’s shortlist.

He only made three starts in the Premier League last season, but it looks like Villa still want a big fee for him.

Last month, The Guardian reported that the Villans value Duran at £40m.

Should Chelsea challenge West Ham for Jhon Duran’s signature?

Heading into the summer, the expectation was for Chelsea to sign a high-profile No.9 like Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.

At one point, there was so much talk about the Nigerian potentially moving to Stamford Bridge.

However, it has now been claimed that the Blues do not want to hamper Jackson’s development.

If that is the case, then maybe the club should seriously consider signing Duran again.

At 20 and still developing himself, the Colombian should not get in Jackson’s way like a more proven striker such as Osimhen would.

Ultimately, the type of centre-forward Chelsea sign this summer, if they bring in one at all, will probably depend on their plans for Jackson. Their stance appears clear right now, though that could change once Maresca takes a look at him in pre-season.

Related Topics