Chelsea have missed out on RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, as the Blues are in search of a new striker this summer.

Chelsea are now being strongly linked with Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran.

According to The Evening Standard, Duran is ‘excited’ by the challenge of having to prove himself at Chelsea and is confident he would be a ‘good fit’ for the club and their vision under Enzo Maresca.

Duran has been capped nine times by the Colombia national team, and reports claim Chelsea have agreed a fee of £42m with Aston Villa for the young Colombian.

When he was first linked with a move to Stamford Bridge over the winter, Duran admitted he’d like to play for a club of Chelsea’s stature.

“I remain focused on Aston Villa. I am not aware of interest from AC Milan or Chelsea,” he told Colombian outlet Win Sports TV.

“They are giant clubs, and it would be a pleasure but I have no knowledge of anything.”

Duran’s agent, Jonathan Herrera, also claimed Chelsea are still interested in Duran despite the departure of Mauricio Pochettino.

“The interest has always been there. The fact that Pochettino continues or leaves the club [shouldn’t affect that]. The one who wants him in the end is the club,” Herrara said.

“He is a player that if they change coach or not, we will see what happens, but there has always been interest. Let’s see how we can handle it and make sure Aston Villa are ready.”

Meanwhile, journalist Simon Phillips has now claimed that Chelsea are prepared to walk away from the deal in order to put pressure on Villa to make the terms easier.

He reports: “SPTC sources have heard Chelsea are ‘preparing’ to walk away from the deal, perhaps putting pressure on Villa to reduce their asking price for him.

“As of last night, talks had continued yesterday, and I do believe talks will continue again today. There is still every chance this deal gets done, but it will need one side to fold on their stance. Villa are not only asking for £40m for Duran, but they are also asking for too much of the fee up front.

“SPTC sources have now heard Chelsea could soon walk away from this one and turn attentions elsewhere.

“Chelsea have been speaking internally on other options they could go for this week, and the most recent names mentioned to me via our sources is Ivan Toney of Brentford, Dominic Solanke of Bournemouth, and Evan Ferguson of Brighton.

“There is still interest in Serhou Guirassy of Stuttgart, and Tammy Abraham of Roma too. Other names are also on our shortlist.”