Exclusive: Chelsea discuss potential Aston Villa exchange, £17m talent wanted ahead of deadline

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Chelsea are happy to let Armando Broja leave the club and an exchange involving Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran could be on the cards.

HITC understands that Chelsea and Aston Villa have held talks about two strikers – Armando Broja and Jhon Duran – that could see the players move in opposite directions this month.

Chelsea – as we revealed earlier this month – are ready to let Broja leave and that will enhance their profit and sustainability requirements with the striker being homegrown, although a deal for the Albanian would be loan with an obligation for now.

Villa like Broja and are keen on a loan with obligation and to cover for that, they are willing to let Duran leave.

HITC understands that Villa are happy to let Duran move on, and in-turn Chelsea are keen.

The deal, because of FFP, would unlikely be a straight swap but the two players moving in opposite directions is now very much on the cards.

Fulham have also shown an interest in Broja, although they deny making a bid, whilst Wolves have also been tracking him but look unlikely to make a bid in the coming days.

Jhon Duran a surprise target for Chelsea

Duran joined Villa in January 2023, arriving from Chicago Fire in a deal worth up to $22million (£17million).

The Colombian forward is a raw and exciting forward at just 20 but he hasn’t received the desired playing time at Villa this season.

Ollie Watkins is Villa’s clear first-choice striker and Duran has made no Premier League starts and all 14 of his league appearances have come off the bench.

Duran has hit two goals in that time but it’s difficult to see how he can break into the Villa side on a regular basis.

Chelsea may well believe that Duran has major potential but this feels like a similar signing to Nicolas Jackson – a talented young striker who may not be ready to lead the line at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea would be banking on Duran fulfilling his potential in the coming years whilst allowing a talented young striker to leave the club in Broja.

Broja’s homegrown status seems to be a driving factor here but the exchange involving Duran would be something of a surprise move for the Blues as deadline day approaches.