Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has been heavily linked with a move to West Ham United over the past few weeks.
West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui is clearly a very big fan of Jhon Duran, and he has apparently already agreed personal terms with the Hammers.
It was only a few days ago when the 20-year-old’s agent admitted that he and his client are in talks with the Hammers.
West Ham have offered £32 million and Villa are demanding £40 million.
The thing is, Lopetegui clearly wants the Colombian, so the board will be keen to back the Spaniard in the chase for his main transfer target.
An upgrade on Michail Antonio is required as a matter of urgency as far as I’m concerned, and my preference would be for us to sign someone young who has the potential to become world-class.
Duran certainly fits into that category – an unpolished gem with boatloads of potential.
Now though, it has been claimed that the Hammers have made a final decision on whether to sign him or not.
Major Jhon Duran claim surfaces as West Ham make final decision
The Colombia international is an incredibly raw talent, but boy does he have serious amounts of potential.
He possesses explosive pace, has an absolute rocket of a shot on him and has the physicality needed to lead the line for West Ham on his own.
Sure, he’s only scored eight goals in 49 games for Villa, but his all-round game has been incredibly impressive to watch over the past year.
His work-rate and the way that he selflessly runs the channels should make him the perfect fit for Lopetegui’s system at the London Stadium.
And now a new update has emerged. West Ham have made a final decision on Duran.
According to a report from The Daily Mail, the Hammers could be set to meet Villa’s £40 million asking price for the South American forward imminently.
I would suggest that it’s more likely we will meet Villa somewhere in the middle for Duran – perhaps around the £36/37 million mark.
I still think that’s an awful lot of money to pay for a 20-year-old. However, I will say that that’s the going rate for immensely talented young Premier League players these days.
Forget his average goal record, for a young man, Duran has proven the most important thing as far as I’m concerned – his ability to deal with the physicality of the Premier League.
The goals and assists will undoubtedly come in time for the 20-year-old as he improves his finishing and all-round game.
I still desperately want him at the London Stadium, and it seems as though West Ham are closing in on a deal to bring Jhon Duran to the club this summer.
Bring it on.
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