Chelsea are looking to sign 18-year-old striker Omari Kellyman from Aston Villa, according to several reliable reports.
The Villans are close to completing a £37.5m deal to sign left-back Ian Maatsen from the Blues, but he is not the only player the two clubs are holding talks with.
I The Daily Telegraph first reported on Saturday that Chelsea have ‘opened talks’ with Villa about versatile star Kellyman, who can play up front, in midfield or on the wing.
The report claims that Villa value Kellyman for around £20m, while the latest article from Athletic he said Chelsea are ‘expected’ to pay around £19m. Villa need to sell players to comply with the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability Rules, and replacing the academy product in Kellyman would appear to be pure profit on the books.
Should Kellyman, who has made six appearances at club level, swap Villa for Chelsea, he will follow the path set by Carney Chukwuemeka, who joined the West Londoners in a £20m deal last year.
Chelsea are also keen to sign Villa striker Jhon Duran, who has been a long-term transfer target. However, the Blues are making little progress on the finer details of that deal while also exploring the market for other options.
Interestingly, Villa are among the clubs considering a move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, with Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid also eyeing the England international.
Most of Villa’s proposed transfer business so far has revolved around making multiple deals with a particular club. Douglas Luiz is set to join Juventus for around £20m, while Villa will bring back winger Samuel Iling-Junior and midfielder Enzo Barrenechea in a swap deal. Tim Iroegbunam has signed for Everton, while Lewis Dobbin could move to Villa from Goodison Park.
Villa are strengthening their squad ahead of their UEFA Champions League campaign next season, with Unai Emery’s men going in after finishing fourth in the Premier League.
Chelsea will compete in the Conference League after finishing sixth.
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