Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has emerged as a key transfer target for West Ham United over the past week or so.
West Ham were first linked with a move to sign Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran last week, when it emerged that the Hammers had actually lodged a £35 million bid for the 21-year-old.
Julen Lopetegui is thought to be prioritising the addition of a new centre-forward this summer, as he looks to take his current squad of players to another level entirely.
Duran would certainly make us more of a potent threat inside the final third, and he’d be lethal surrounded by the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus.
The 6ft 1in striker is extremely strong in the air and possesses really impressive pace.
The South American starlet possesses the physical attributes needed to lead the line on his own for West Ham.
However, Villa’s demands for Duran are proving to be problematic.
And now an extremely big twist means all eyes will be on David Sullivan regarding a potential move to bring him to the London Stadium.
Jhon Duran to West Ham takes major new twist
Whatever happens this summer, Hammers head coach Lopetegui must ensure that he signs a new striker.
It’s time for West Ham to finally move on from Michail Antonio leading the line for us in every single game.
And Duran could well be the man for the job at the London Stadium.
Sky Italia journalist Manuele Baiocchini seemingly has some good news for the Hammers regarding our pursuit of the Colombian hitman, as quoted by Radio Rossonera.
Baiocchini said, “The latest news is that for Milan there could also be a comeback for Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran. We are talking about a striker like Fullkrug or Abraham, but watch out for this third option as well,” he said.
“The player is talking to West Ham and also seemed to be very close to the Hammers, but we had an indiscretion about AC Milan, who might reconsider.”
Let’s hope that the Italian journalist is spot on and the Aston Villa striker is indeed close to joining West Ham this summer.
That said, I really think we should avoid overpaying for the South American forward. He is still relatively unproven at Premier League level after all.
Villa are apparently asking for around £40 million for the 20-year-old (Give Me Sport), but I seriously have my doubts that the Hammers will pay anything like that for him.
In fact, I would be surprised if West Ham paid more than £25-30 million for Jhon Duran, with a hefty sell-on clause included of course.
Let’s just hope that Villa are willing to play ball with his asking price, because I honestly believe he’d be the perfect addition for our front-line.
All eyes on David Sullivan it is then. Will the Hammers co-owner meet Villa’s demands and give Lopetegui the ideal striker for his system? Only time will tell.
I have to say, if Villa are demanding anything more than £30 million for Jhon Duran, West Ham should walk away from the deal.
READ ALSO:
Declan Rice makes it very clear who he thinks West Ham United’s best player is
West Ham now want to sign ‘explosive’ £50m star from Premier League giants
West Ham eye bargain summer window deal for £6m star who scored 6 PL goals last season
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
