West Ham were given new hope of potentially signing a top target but Arsenal sneakily tried to get involved and look to have ruined it.
There is absolutely no doubt West Ham and Arsenal’s biggest priority in January.
The Hammers and Gunners may be in very different positions in the table but both are struggling to live up to expectations so far this season.
Many put that down to West Ham and Arsenal failing to address their striker situations.
West Ham signed Niclas Fullkrug in the summer. But eyebrows were raised given he turns 32 this season, has a lack of pace and a worryingly lengthy injury record.
Sure enough Fullkrug has been out for two months with a serious Achilles and calf injury and has no timeframe on a return.
Arsenal elected not to sign a forward despite selling Eddie Nketiah.
With Gabriel Jesus still struggling and Kai Havertz not a bona fide top level striker, the Gunners have failed to take advantage of Man City’s poor form.
Both West Ham and Arsenal have been heavily linked with a number of forwards ahead of the winter transfer window.
Fans feel bringing in the right player could save their club’s season.
West Ham have seen in the recent past how the right addition in January can transform the team.
Jesse Lingard and Jarrod Bowen being two of the best examples.
But Arsenal have tried to sneakily beat West Ham to a prime January target only to ruin it for everyone.
It seems the Gunners may have tried some distraction tactics as part of their plan too.
Last week Arsenal were suddenly linked with Hammers star boy Mohammed Kudus.
Arsenal try to sneakily beat West Ham to prime January target
The Ghana attacker has an £85m release clause in his West Ham contract valid next summer.
Two days later Arsenal were then linked with the man who brought Kudus to West Ham – Tim Steidten.
With Edu departing, Arsenal have a sporting director role to fill.
And West Ham revealed they had heard Arsenal wanted Steidten as his replacement.
While all that was going on, though, Arsenal were rather slyly trying to do a deal for a player still very much wanted at West Ham.
Aston Villa star Jhon Duran was West Ham’s top striker target in the summer.
West Ham refused to meet Villa’s £45m asking price, though, feeling it was too much for such an inexperienced player.
Duran has made that decision look ridiculous with his form for Villa this season.
Despite scoring eight goals this season, the Colombian still finds himself playing second fiddle to Ollie Watkins.
Duran remains on West Ham’s list of targets with signing a younger striker a necessity. Especially as soon-to-be 35-year-old Michail Antonio and 32-year-old Danny Ings are both out of contract at the end of the season.
Reports claimed the Hammers believe they can play on the fact Duran is frustrated at not being given the regular starting berth he craves.
West Ham are said to think they may yet be able to sign the 20-year-old.
Gunners ruin it for everyone by going far too soon for Duran
The Colombia international opened up on his failed West Ham move for the first time last weekend.
Duran conceded there was a chance he was going to move to the London Stadium in the summer.
And he said his burning desire to be the main striker coupled with a lack of patience means he may still want that at another club.
Duran also admitted he has a ‘love and sometimes hate’ relationship with Unai Emery over his lack of starts.
Just days later last week there was new hope a deal might be there to be done as video emerged of a training ground row between the striker and his manager.
Arsenal have ruined it for themselves and West Ham, though.
While rumours about their supposed interest in Hammers duo Kudus and Steidten leaked out to the press, the Gunners reportedly submitted a bid to Villa for Duran ahead of the January window.
A report from Colombia, which has now been widely repeated here in the UK, reiterates that West Ham remain interested.
But it claims Arsenal cheekily offered Villa £46m – £1m more than the price West Ham refused to pay in the summer.
Not only was it rejected, Villa responded telling the Gunners not to bother coming back unless they’re willing to part with £70m.
It may be the opening stand for a couple of months of bartering.
But at that level it most definitely rules West Ham out and probably Arsenal as well given PSR limitations.
The Gunners went way to early on this.
Villa may have been more open to selling when the window was actually open if Emery continues to have an disgruntled player on his hands and feels he needs to strengthen his side in other areas.
By trying to get the jump on West Ham, Arsenal have ruined it for everyone.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
