Exclusive: Aston Villa 'laughing' at Duran deal after 'crazy' Chelsea bid

Aston Villa will be “laughing” at Chelsea’s £50million bid to sign Jhon Duran as they look to raise money from player sales.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Football Insider journalist Connor Humm described the price tag as “crazy” given the attacking options already at Enzo Maresca’s disposal.

With Villa also demanding a high figure to complete the transfer of Douglas Luiz, as revealed by Football Insider, Duran’s high price tag after just ten starts last season has come as a shock.

The Blues are looking to bolster their attacking options despite having Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku already on the books and Duran, 20, has emerged as their top target.

Aston Villa delighted at £50million Jhon Duran transfer to Chelsea

Villa, meanwhile, are looking to offload players to raise funds amid pressure from financial regulations, and Chelsea’s deal to sign Duran looks to provide a huge boost to those figures.

Having arrived at Villa Park from Chicago Fire for a fee rising to £18million just 18 months ago, making £32million profit on a player who has started just ten games for the club is a huge coup.

Since arriving in January 2023, Duran has featured 49 times for Villa, scoring eight goals including two against Liverpool in a 3-3 draw last season.

Jackson has been hit-and-miss for Chelsea, while Nkunku spent the majority of last season sidelined with injury issues, leaving an opportunity for Duran to come in as their main number nine.

Maresca arrived at Chelsea following the dismissal of Mauricio Pochettino earlier this summer, with Todd Boehly and the Blues’ board looking to back their new manager in the transfer market.

In other news, Conor Gallagher’s new plan at Stamford Bridge has been revealed.

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