Chelsea contact £80m player’s agent this week as they reopen transfer talks, deal was ‘99% done’ last summer

The Chelsea squad is in a healthier spot right now than it’s been in recently, but there are still some areas that they can improve and strengthen.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca still wants to recruit in three positions, including the centre-forward role.

Blues striker Nicolas Jackson, 23, is the first-choice striker at Stamford Bridge. He’s scored nine Premier League goals so far this campaign during a decent individual campaign, but it’s now six straight appearances without a goal as this recent drought continues.

It’s a common complaint from the fanbase that they need a more conventional frontman in the squad to compete with Jackson.

Respected journalist Simon Phillips claims via Substack that Chelsea have once again held internal transfer talks over a potential move for Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran.

Apparently, the Blues made new contact with the 21-year-old’s agent this week.

Phillips explains that Chelsea approached the young striker’s representatives after hearing speculation about January interest from other suitors. If other clubs are putting in transfer bids this window, they feel something can be done.

In addition, he adds that Duran was very close to joining Chelsea in the summer, with sources saying the transfer was ‘99% done’ at one stage. The Colombia international ended up staying at Villa Park due to concerns about his attitude and the overall cost of the deal.

This comes after The Daily Mail recently said this week that Villa rejected West Ham’s £57m bid for Duran. They added that Unai Emery’s side don’t want to lose the £80m-rated frontman in the January window amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain as well.

Duran is one of numerous strikers heavily linked with Chelsea, so it’s interesting to see his name crop up again in the final couple of weeks of the mid-season transfer window.

Would Jhon Duran be a good signing for Chelsea?

It’s a popular opinion that Chelsea desperately needs to add another striker to their squad. Would Duran be the right profile for them, though?

Based on what Duran is doing in Villa colours, he’s destined for a mega transfer in the near future.

We definitely think Duran has the potential to be a statement signing for Chelsea, someone who could provide a great alternative to Jackson. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see them play off each other, too.

The Villa talent is certainly a lethal finisher and more conventional No.9, so big interest in him is no surprise.

There was a stumbling block between Chelsea and Duran over wages during last summer’s transfer negotiations, so perhaps that’s another obstacle to overcome if the Blues do ramp up their interest in this January window.