Chelsea are reportedly in discussions with another Premier League club regarding two big-money deals.
Now that Enzo Maresca is at the helm, the club's recruitment team are being proactive in their search for fresh talent ahead of 2024-25.
Tosin Adarabioyo has already arrived on a free transfer from Fulham, increasingly the chances of Chelsea making an effort to find a buyer for a centre-back already at Stamford Bridge as they bid to boost their position with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.
If reports are to be believed, acquiring a centre-forward to compete with Nicolas Jackson is next on the agenda, with Chelsea having to look elsewhere having missed out on RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko.
While Dominic Solanke is believed to be an alternative, co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have been interested in signing Aston Villa's Jhon Duran since January.
Although nothing materialised at the turn of the year, a transaction is far more plausible now due to Villa's own need to meet the Premier League's financial rules.
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Chelsea given permission to talk to Duran
According to The Telegraph, Villa are allowing Duran to hold formal discussions with Chelsea over a transfer to Stamford Bridge.
The report suggests the Colombia international could make the switch to West London in a £40m deal if further boxes are ticked in talks with the player.
Chelsea allegedly have plans to put the 20-year-old on an 'incentivised' contract, rather than hand him big wages when he still has much to prove.
Furthermore, the report stresses that Villa will only give the green light to a sale if they can sign at least one player from Chelsea in a separate deal.
While Conor Gallagher may turn down the opportunity to sign for Villa, it appears that the West Midlands outfit have an alternative in mind.
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Villa take interest in Maatsen
Villa have reportedly enquired about a deal for Ian Maatsen, who has just excelled during a loan period with Borussia Dortmund.
Boehly and Clearlake had hoped that Dortmund would push through a £35m deal, but the Champions League runners-up are yet to take up that option.
Although Unai Emery currently has Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno at his disposal at left-back, Dutchman Maatsen would add more versatility to the squad.
Maatsen would ultimately cost less than Duran, yet Chelsea would make a considerable profit on the nominal fee that they spent on the player in 2018.
Darren Plant
