West Ham and Chelsea held talks with ‘special’ Aston Villa star who now wants to leave this summer

• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

HITC understands that Jhon Duran wants to leave this summer and Aston Villa are on the same page.

With Champions League football on the horizon, Aston Villa are hard at work in the summer transfer window preparing their squad for the season ahead.

They have wasted no time dipping into the transfer market with six signings already confirmed including a £35million move for Ian Maatsen.

Their budget this summer has been helped by Douglas Luiz’s move to Juventus, and they could be set for another significant cash injection with a £60million price tag placed on Moussa Diaby amid interest from the Saudi Pro League.

It is understood that Villa are also keen to offload striker Jhon Duran this summer with Premier League duo West Ham and Chelsea both holding talks over a potential deal.

Aston Villa could re-think Jhon Duran price tag

With Duran wanting to leave Villa Park and the club also eager to offload him, there is a belief that Villa would allow significant add-ons as part of the deal’s structure.

As revealed by HITC earlier this month, Villa are prepared to listen to offers for Duran this summer with multiple clubs interested.

There is now a belief that Villa will consider bids lower than £40million provided that the offer includes significant add-ons.

It is understood that neither West Ham nor Chelsea have submitted an official offer for Duran this summer as they know Villa’s asking price is above their own valuation of the player.

Aston Villa could re-invest Jhon Duran fee

With both the club and the player eager to part ways, it is hard to see a future at Villa Park for Duran.

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Unai Emery is clearly a big admirer of Duran after branding him a “special player” last season, but his fee could be reinvested in a new striker.

A fee close to £40million would provide Villa with enough cash to source a replacement and with Ollie Watkins leading the line they could look for a young and upcoming star.