West Ham ‘keeping a close eye’ on Jhon Duran with Chelsea also keen

Chelsea signed several attackers during the summer transfer window, but none of them were true strikers. Nonetheless, the squad is

performing well and appears to be in contention for a top-four finish.

A promising start to life under Enzo Maresca has not kept the Blues from seeking for new players in 2025, with Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran

the most recent to be linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea is ‘keeping a close eye’ on Duran but may face competition from

West Ham, with a move probable in either January 2025 or the summer transfer window next year. He was connected with leaving Aston

Villa in the recent transfer window, but Unai Emery refused to let go of the Colombian international, who is regarded as a highly

trustworthy backup to Ollie Watkins.

Duran has already scored five goals this season despite playing very few minutes, but regular playing

time remains difficult to come by for the young forward. Chelsea will be able to offer Jhon Duran the opportunity to play European

football on a regular basis, possibly in the Champions League, although it is unclear whether he will be able to start considering Nicolas

Jackson appears to be the first-choice striker. The former Villarreal striker is Enzo Maresca’s go-to option to lead his line, and even if

Duran joins Chelsea to pursue more minutes than Villa, this may not be the case. At West Ham, he would have a long-term role as Michail

Antonio’s replacement. Niklas Fullkrug, who joined from Borussia Dortmund earlier this summer, has struggled in the final third, causing

the Hammers to contemplate signing another striker. Duran, who is valued at under £16 million on Transfermarkt, may have to wait until

next summer for a move, as Emery may be unwilling to let go of a vital secondary option midway through the season.

JUST IN: West Ham ‘keeping a close eye’ on Jhon Duran with Chelsea also keen