Jhon Duran transferred the state of play as the Aston Villa striker answers Chelsea’s question

Jhon Duran could leave Aston Villa this summer, but a move to Chelsea appears to be in doubt.

The Blues were given permission to discuss personal terms with the 20-year-old earlier this month after talks with Villa over a £40million move. Background checks have also been carried out on Duran, who wants to join Enzo Maresca’s squad for the new season.

Chelsea were also interested in Duran last January, but a deal never materialised. He joined Villa from Chicago Fire less than 18 months ago in a £14.75m deal and was forced to wait until March this year to make his first Premier League start League, 10 months after scoring his first league goal against Everton earlier last season.

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He could now leave Villa, despite the club already sorting out their problems with profit and sustainability rules with the impending €50m sale of Douglas Luiz. Villa also completed two deals with Chelsea this week, signing Ian Maatsen for £37.5m and selling 18-year-old Omari Kellyman for £19m.

It is unclear whether Chelsea are willing to continue their pursuit of Duran or have moved on to other targets, but there has been no progress on a deal yet.

“The options of the other teams I don’t know, I don’t know them now,” Duran told Gol Caracol while representing Colombia at the Copa America. “I am focused on the national team, in the Copa America, wanting to add minutes, supporting the team a lot.

“For those potential signing topics I already have other people dealing with that.”

If Duran were to leave, then of course Villa would have to replace him. They are said to have a concrete interest in Hoffenheim’s Maximilian Beier.

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