Chelsea have cooled off on Jhon Duran and are reluctant to reach an agreement for the Aston Villa striker.
The signing of a new striker to complement Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku is a precedent for Les Bleus this summer.
Duran was a surprise target earlier this month, and Villa didn’t find it easy to make a payment of around £40 million.
Chelsea reportedly carried out background checks on the Colombian who had earned a reputation as a maverick character.
While Villa are more than satisfied with Duran’s candidacy in his first season at the club, Chelsea, according to the Telegraph, have reservations.
The Blues have also reportedly been put off by the 20-year-old’s salary demands and the west London club have already shown this summer that they will retain him for a ransom.
Chelsea withdrew from the race to sign Michael Olise, heading to Bayern Munich, earlier this week due to the situations demanded by the French youth international.
Having invested heavily in the skill of young owner Todd Boehly, Chelsea prefer to praise his existing ability, rather than promptly push new signings to the top of their wage bill.
With the aim of signing Duran on the ice, Chelsea are now exploring options and reading an imaginable solution for Hoffenheim striker Maximilian Beier.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have struck a £19m deal with Villa to sign teenager Omari Kellyman, and Ian Maatsen is set to move in the opposite direction.
Kellyman will be signed up for Chelsea’s first team for pre-season, but he will most likely be loaned out next season so he can enjoy normal first-team football.
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