One of the strikers who was near the top of Chelsea’s list of potential transfer targets looks set for a big-money move before the end of the January transfer window.
Jhon Duran has been admired by a number of figures at Stamford Bridge for a while now, and they were very close to signing him before this season got underway.
His stats from this season suggest it would have been a sensational addition to the Blues’ squad, especially at this stage where the goals have dried up for Nicolas Jackson.
Chelsea decided against signing Duran after background checks
However, the Colombian is now set for a move to Saudi Arabia, with Al Nassr agreeing a deal in principle to sign him this month.
A number of the top sides in Europe were keen on signing Duran in January, and one of those interested was Chelsea.
However, Simon Johnson has claimed to the GiveMeSport podcast that after Chelsea’s background checks into his character, they decided not to go through with trying to sign him properly.
He said: “It was put to me that after doing more looking into him as a character as much as a player that Chelsea then decided perhaps not to go through with it.”
Chelsea’s striker options for 2025
While Duran was favoured, he is certainly not the only striker the club have been keeping tabs on ahead of a signing this year.
Chelsea are seen as the frontrunners to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, who has enjoyed a top start to life as a Premier League striker.
However, Ipswich are desperate to keep hold of their star man in an attempt to maintain their place in the top flight, and that deal looks more likely to take place in the summer.
Another player they are reportedly keen on is Mathys Tel, although he is wanting first team minutes if he leaves Bayern Munich, and that is not guaranteed at Stamford Bridge.
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