Aston Villa and Chelsea stance on Conor Gallagher and Jhon Duran swap deal mooted
Aston Villa and Chelsea are unlikely to be able to agree on a swap deal for Jhon Duran head to Stamford Bridge and Conor Gallagher to Villa Park, according to Alan Hutton.
Unai Emery is keen to add to his squad ahead of the start of next season, with reports suggesting that the Villans are interested in securing Gallagher’s signature this summer as Chelsea look to avoid breaching PSR [The Telegraph, 18 May].
On top of that, speculation has continued to circle Duran’s future in the Midlands after the striker was spotted liking several Chelsea-related social media posts having been linked with a move to the Blues in January [Daily Mail, 25 January].
With the uncertainty around both players’ long-term futures currently, Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell told Villa News (30 May) that a player plus cash swap deal could be the perfect solution for all parties involved.
Although Hutton has admitted he thinks that sort of transfer would represent brilliant business for Emery’s side this summer, he doesn’t believe either party will be rushing to get it over the finish line.
“As horrible as it sounds I would like that,” Hutton told Villa News.
“I think Conor Gallagher coming in would give you something else within that midfield, he covers every blade of grass, he works really hard and I like him as a player.
“I’ve always been dead surprised that Chelsea would even want to let him go. That being said I really like Duran and I think there is a lot of potential within him.
“Is this deal going to happen in my opinion? No, I don’t think that will come about but hypothetically speaking I think it would be good.”
Will Aston Villa and Unai Emery sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea in the summer transfer window?
On the face of it, swapping Duran for Gallagher would represent excellent business for Villa as they would be getting a ready-made Champions League-level footballer, in exchange for an exciting up-and-coming talent.
But that is likely why this deal won’t make it past the concept stage, as the Blues are unlikely to let the England international leave Stamford Bridge unless somebody is willing to fork out a serious transfer fee.
Villa could still potentially win that transfer race if they themselves aren’t hampered by profit and sustainability regulations, but they will likely face plenty of competition from several of their Premier League rivals.
On top of that, Emery will likely be eager to keep Duran this summer especially as Ollie Watkins continues to be linked with a move away from Villa Park. The Villans don’t have loads of forward options and they cannot afford to lose another one.
While this potential swap deal appears to be dead in the water, it doesn’t mean that both players won’t complete moves this summer.
In other Aston Villa news, the Villans have agreed a few with Luton Town to secure the signing of Ross Barkley ahead of the summer transfer window
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