Chelsea might be able to sign Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran without paying a single penny if Todd Boehly can work his magic over the coming weeks. The Blues are said to be interested in bringing Duran to Stamford Bridge, with Enzo Maresca keen on adding more firepower to his squad.
Duran was linked with Chelsea in the January window but Villa were reportedly unwilling to do business in the middle of the season. However, it seems the move could be revisited in the near future with Maresca having prioritised the addition of at least one new forward.
Villa would consider selling Duran for a significant fee to help ensure their compliance with Premier League financial rules, according to Birmingham Live. The report adds that a deal could be done for around £40million, but Chelsea might be tempted to pursue another strategy that would help them save money.
The Blues could propose a straight swap with Ian Maatsen, who looks to have no future at Stamford Bridge despite impressing on loan at Borussia Dortmund. The left-back has reportedly emerged as a target for Villa, with Fabrizio Romano claiming that Unai Emery would like to snap him up.
Dortmund are said to be keen on bringing Maatsen back on a permanent basis but the two clubs are nowhere close to agreeing a transfer fee. The Dutchman is thought to have a £35m release clause written into his contract, but Dortmund are reportedly unwilling to shell out that much money at this stage.
Given that both Duran and Maatsen both have similar price tags, it seems plausible that a straight swap could be arranged between Chelsea and Villa. This would see the Blues land Duran without any money exchanging hands, representing a significant coup for Maresca in his first summer window.
Such a move would also give Chelsea more financial power to secure a move for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, who is reportedly considered a top target. He is said to have a release clause of £60m and is likely to demand a hefty wage increase to join the Blues before the start of next season.
It is said that Villa have already discussed the possibility of signing Maatsen in negotiations with Chelsea over a potential move for Duran. A swap deal would appear to be a logical solution that would suit all parties, but it remains to be seen how the situation will eventually play out.
