- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
With just a week left in the January transfer window, Chelsea are still keen to add to their attacking options this month.
HITC Football sources have confirmed that Mauricio Pochettino’s side are interested in signing Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran.
However, they will only move for the 20-year-old if they can find a destination for Albanian international Armando Broja.
Chelsea are willing to let the young striker leave and HITC Football understands that several Premier League teams are interested in his services.
Chelsea keen on Villa forward Duran if Broja leaves
The Blues are looking at short-term options this month but have yet to make a move in the window.
HITC Football has previously reported that they’ve been offered the chance to sign Karim Benzema who has been frozen out of training at Al-Ittihad.
He could move back to Europe if his situation isn’t resolved in Saudi Arabia in the coming days, although he appears to be very keen to return to Lyon.
Aston Villa are understood to be open to selling Duran after selling the Colombian international in 2022 for £18m.
Unai Emery is pushing for additions of his own to supplement his squad on their quest to qualify for the Champions League.
They want to push through a move for Middlesbrough’s Morgan Rogers who scored a wonderful goal against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup this week.
Duran interest puzzling from Chelsea
Since Todd Boehly’s takeover, Chelsea have made a concerted effort to try and sign some of the best young talents from around the world.
There have been few success stories at this stage though, with Cole Palmer the standout addition to the squad in the past 18 months.
Too many young players have been signed for big money without making any real impact.
They wanted teenage full-back Sam Curtis this month but he appears to be joining Sheffield United.
Jhon Duran has rarely shown glimpses that he’s ready to play regular Premier League football as he’s yet to start a league game under Emery.
If Chelsea make the right offer for Duran then Aston Villa might be very tempted to sell him.
Broja future at Chelsea in doubt regardless of Duran move
While there are question marks over whether signing Duran is the right move, Broja’s future looks much clearer.
An injury to Christopher Nkunku has offered the 22-year-old more opportunities than he likely anticipated at the start of the season.
However, he’s struggled to score the goals Chelsea require, finding the back of the net twice in all competitions so far this season.
Considering he’s made 18 appearances so far in this campaign, it simply isn’t a good enough return.
Broja showed at Southampton that he could be a decent forward for a mid-table Premier League side but his form hasn’t been good enough for what Chelsea want.
Chelsea might be better off waiting until the summer to see if they can bring in a more experienced, top-level centre-forward.
It’s understood the Blues are in pole position to sign Victor Osimhen in the summer despite interest from the Saudi Pro League.
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