Numerous reports today are linking Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran with a possible move to East London. According to the reports, Chelsea and Villa have been negotiating for some time over a move for the young striker, with deals discussed including players moving the other way.
According to the report on MSN, negotiations broke down, and one of the reasons the deal stalled was that Chelsea had been seeking to include a player in the negotiations. However, the player, believed to be Conor Gallagher, refused to go along with the move. I wonder if Gallagher’s standing and value to a potential purchasing club have been helped or hindered by his England appearances in the Euros?
Chelsea have apparently moved on to other targets, leaving the way open for new potential suitors for the 20-year-old Villa forward, who joined in 2022 for nearly 17 million euros.
Young striker Duran is an interesting prospect. A poacher by nature, he has scored eight times in 49 appearances for Aston Villa but is said to have fallen out of favour with Unai Emery and is not part of the long-term plan. Currently on international duty at the Copa America with the national side Colombia, it seems unlikely that negotiations will conclude while he is away.
The striker could be exactly the right profile to join West Ham—young, 1.85 meters tall, and mobile, with an attainable value for the Hammers quoted anywhere between MSN’s five million quid (bargain!) to Transfermarkt’s £20 million. Worth a punt for the future, if the price is right.