West Ham United have been heavily linked with a move to sign Roma striker Tammy Abraham over the past week or so.
In fact, only yesterday it was claimed that the Hammers were only one step away from signing Tammy Abraham.
However, it appears as though those claims lacked any kind of veracity, with Tammy Abraham actually nowhere near joining West Ham.
It has been suggested by those very high up at the London Stadium that there is in fact no truth to the rumours linking the Roma star with a move to join us.
However, the stories linking the former Chelsea man with a move to the Hammers are simply not going away.
Could it be one of those deal that happens late on transfer deadline day? Or is Abraham really not on the radar of Julen Lopetegui in the first place?
Here’s how I see the situation…
Tammy Abraham a smokescreen for West Ham to seal another deal
The Hammers owners have used a very specific ploy throughout the years when trying to sign players.
Information is leaked that they are after a certain player, when in fact that interest isn’t even genuine to begin with.
This then puts pressure on the selling club to lower their demands for whoever it is West Ham really want, because they don’t want to risk missing out on a top fee for their player.
I believe that’s exactly what is happening here with our so-called ‘interest’ in signing Tammy Abraham from Roma.
The real target is Jhon Duran, in my opinion, and he always has been Lopetegui’s first-choice striker signing.
It was claimed last week that West Ham are still very much in the race to sign the 20-year-old Colombian hitman.
Villa are believed to be holding out for around £40 million for Duran, according to The Evening Standard.
That’s an awful lot of money, but if we can get Villa to accept a loan deal for this season, and an obligation to buy him for, let’s say £30-35 million next summer, I think it’s a deal the Hammers will try to get done.
Jhon Duran perfect for West Ham
The Villa forward is absolutely rapid, possesses incredible movement and has a real rocket of a shot on him.
He is the polar opposite to Niclas Fullkrug, so would provide Lopetegui with real variation to the way that he sets up his team.
At just 20, Duran has the world at his feet, and the sky really is the limit for him.
I have absolutely no doubts that the Aston Villa striker would be a huge hit at the London Stadium, if Lopetegui does manage to sign him before the transfer window closes.
I’d take Jhon Duran all day long over Tammy Abraham at West Ham. He’s quicker, more robust and has far greater potential.
Let’s hope that I’m right and the Englishman is indeed a smokescreen for the Colombia international.
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