Aston Villa 'reach agreement' with Premier League rivals over PSR-fixing transfer

The Villans are moving closer to being freed of concerns associated with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability (PSR) rules as a significant sale is progressing. Jhon Duran, a young striker with significant potential but seen as dispensable by Unai Emery, appears to be on his way to Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Colombian publication En La Juganda RCN reports Villa have agreed to sell Duran to the Blues for a fee close to €50 million (£42.1 million). The 20-year-old arrived from Chicago Fire for £18 million just 18 months ago, leaving Villa £24.1 million in the green.

This deal, if finalised, will be a significant help to Villa as they are currently on course to breach PSR and could face sanctions. Duran being sold for such a significant fee should be enough to at least revoke fears of punishment, it just wouldn’t be sufficient for Villa to go and spend big themselves.

The report from En La Juganda RCN claims Chelsea are currently in contact with the player to negotiate personal terms. All parties associated with the deal are pushing to finalise it as soon as possible as Chelsea believe the transfer represents excellent value. The player, meanwhile, is keen on the move.

Gallagher-Duran swap off the cards?

Many believed Conor Gallagher would be involved in any agreement as the midfielder is one of Emery’s priority targets but these latest reports don’t even give the English international a mention. It appears any move would be a separate negotiation entirely despite the simalar valuations.

Duran, set for a move to Stamford Bridge, has made 49 senior appearances for Villa since joining in January 2023 but most have been as a substitute, accumulating to just 1,097 minutes. The Colombia international has scored eight goals, including two in the UEFA Europa Conference League.