Chelsea and Villa have come to a broad agreement over the striker Duran

According to reports, Chelsea and Villa have come to a broad agreement over the striker Duran. The Blues might spend up to £40 million to recruit Ian Maatsen, a Colombian international who is currently being linked to a move to Villa.

According to rumors, Unai Emery’s Champions League ambitions have set a broad £40 million deal between Chelsea and Aston Villa over the recruitment of Jhon Duran. Ian Maatsen is reportedly a target for Chelsea.

The Blues are looking for a new striker this summer and passed on Victor Osimhen of Napoli because of the high transfer fee. Benjamin Sesko, however, refused to leave RB Leipzig and signed a new contract until 2029 with an exit clause in place for 12 months.

Though there are still challenges to be solved, Duran, a target from the January transfer window, has swiftly re-entered the race. According to the Telegraph, the two clubs have agreed on the general terms of a £40 million deal.

In addition to contract negotiations, Chelsea officials have been given permission to speak with Duran and are checking the 20-year-old’s past to make sure he is a good fit for the team.

Instead of offering Duran a huge contract, the goal is to offer him a long-term agreement that will allow the young striker to grow his income based on how well he plays.

Villa wants to sign a player from Chelsea this summer as well, but they can’t due to budgetary constraints, thus they can’t do so until Duran’s transfer to Stamford Bridge is completed.

Interest in midfielder Conor Gallagher, who is nearing the end of his contract and is still available for the right price, was the initial reason the two sides got in touch. However, new sources have indicated Chelsea may now attempt to retain Gallagher.

It is understood that Villa ‘inquired’ about left-back Maatsen, who returned to Chelsea following the expiration of his loan from Borussia Dortmund.

The Dutchman was called up to the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 squad after Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners were ruled out due to injury. The Bundesliga heavyweights are desperate to keep him, but they will not activate his £35 million release clause, which leaves the door open for clubs like Villa to enter the negotiations.

Champions League hopefuls Villa are also in the process of selling key midfielder Douglas Luiz to Juventus, in exchange for just shy of £20m in cash and Weston McKennie and Samuel Iling-Junior.