Chelsea interested in Premier League striker but face competition from London rivals: Reports

Chelsea are allegedly aiming to sign Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, who has lately drawn interest from Premier League outfit West Ham United as well, in the future.

Duran, 20, has popped up as the talk of the town following his excellent start to the ongoing 2024-25 campaign. The left-footed Colombian has netted four goals in five Premier League games, starting none of them.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, famed journalist Ben Jacobs offered insight into Duran's future at Unai Emery's Aston Villa amid transfer interest from two English clubs. He elaborated:

"We need to keep a very close eye, not just on Chelsea, who have had Duran on their list of options, but West Ham as well. They moved in another direction and brought in Niclas Fullkrug, but they're not scoring goals, and they're not looking sharp or balanced."

Revealing why West Ham could challenge Chelsea, Jacobs added:

"They're not looking like a team at the moment that can challenge for a top-half finish or European football. If things continue to go in a negative direction, they might be one of the clubs that have to spend big to bring in a source of goals, either in January or summer 2025."

Duran, who left Major League Soccer team Chicago Fire for an initial fee of around £14 million last January, currently has a contract until June 2028. He has found the back of the net 13 times in 56 appearances across competitions, including just 11 starts, for his current club.

Last month, Aston Villa director of football operations Damian Vidagany suggested that his team rejected 40 bids for Duran earlier this summer. He went on to say (h/t Transfermarkt):

"Unai is very confident with Jhon, very confident. He thinks he can become one of the best strikers in the world in the next 12 months."

Rio Ferdinand lauds Chelsea ace after win

Earlier this Saturday (September 28), Chelsea registered a 4-2 league victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge. Cole Palmer became the first-ever star to net four goals in the first-half of a Premier League tie, while Brighton also scored twice before the break.

After the end of the first half, Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand heaped huge praise on the left-footed Chelsea star. He posted on X:

"Cole Palmer just slapped in a quick hatty plus 1 in 45 mins! He is him!!!"

So far this season, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder has recorded six goals and four assists in six Premier League games for the Blues.