Opinion: Chelsea want Aston Villa star in Conor Gallagher deal… it may be the Blues’ best option

Chelsea and Aston Villa could striker a swap deal involving Conor Gallagher and John Duran

Chelsea could be looking to make a swap deal with Aston Villa involving Conor Gallagher and John Duran. Villa are open to selling the striker, and talks may take place over this being included as part of a deal for Conor Gallagher. The Blues want £50 million for Gallagher, who is currently in the last year of his contract. Viilla are the latest club to express interest, with Tottenham Hotspur also in the race.

The Blues want to bolster their No. 9 role despite signing Nicolas Jackson last season, who ended the season with 14 Premier League goals, while Duran has been a back-up centre-forward at Villa. Duran started only three games last season and scored eight goals, and the former Villarreal manager doesn’t see the Colombian as part of his plans for the upcoming campaign. 

Will this be a sensible swap deal for Chelsea?

Meanwhile, Gallagher has one year left on his contract, and it could be doubtful that clubs will be ready to meet his price, so they can either meet for another year or sign him for free. Thus, it leaves Blues with a dilemma: either extend his contract or sell him in this summer window.

The Blues could also lower his price tag if they are keen on selling him, as they feel the sale of an academy player can help the club earn a pure profit, as they did with Mason Mount last summer for financial reasons. Brining in another young striker, and how are we supposed to develop them together because strikers need consistent game time like Jackson had last season? It’s just difficult to develop two strikers at the same time.

Rather than signing Duran, who is obviously not ready to be the main man, the club can rather wait and try again for Sesko next summer. It’s hard to see what Duran will bring to us next season. Meanwhile, Jackson seems ready for the next campaign, and we also have Christopher Nkunku, who can also operate as No. 9.

Although he is a competent attacker, it seems as though he can contribute to the buildup and drop deep. That player can, however, finish. He is an incredibly talented ball striker. All he needs to focus on is passing and ball handling.

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Furthermore, the Blues should avoid signing a second striker who will require more time. He didn’t play in enough games even the previous season, and the Blues might have thought about a trade if he had been a regular starter and had enough Premier League experience.