Aston Villa appear to have dropped the biggest hint yet that Jhon Duran could be on his way to West Ham United this summer.
The last time West Ham signed a striker from Aston Villa things did not work out too well.
The Hammers sent £15m Aston Villa’s way for Danny Ings 18 months ago.
At the time West Ham needed someone to put the ball away with Gianluca Scamacca struggling with injuries and form.
Ings was a proven Premier League goalscorer but the move simply has not worked for West Ham or the player. And the former Villa forward is now being linked with moves elsewhere at a third of the price.
West Ham fans may not be aware what Aston Villa did with that Ings money from the Hammers.
They sent it to Chicago Fire to sign young Colombian forward Jhon Duran.
The 20-year-old has impressed when given the chance by Aston Villa boss Unai Emery.
But those chances have come too few and far between for the frustrated forward’s liking.
Now 18 months on there is no lack of irony as West Ham look to replace the likes of Ings with Duran.
The Hammers have wanted Villa’s Colombian forward Duran since last year.
Hammers technical director Tim Steidten has had the frustrated Villa back-up man on a list of targets ever since.
And new West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui clearly agrees with Steidten that Duran would be a good signing.
West Ham hungry like the wolf for Jhon Duran
Speculation over a West Ham move for the Aston Villa striker has ramped up over the last week.
Emery and Villa fans have been disappointed by Duran’s lack of patience for first team opportunities after he made it perfectly clear he’s open to leaving Villa for West Ham.
Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano claimed West Ham have already approached Aston Villa about doing a deal for the 20-year-old.
West Ham then confirmed exclusively to Hammers News that “Duran is one of many we are looking at”.
Yesterday a confidant of West Ham majority owner David Sullivan revealed the Hammers could strike a deal with Villa for Duran next week.
And now Aston Villa have dropped the biggest hint yet that Duran could be on his way to West Ham.
West Ham have just lost young striker Divin Mubama after he decided to leave on a free transfer.
Now Hammers boss Lopetegui has only Michail Antonio – who turns 35 next season – and Ings, who is 32 this month, as striker options.
Villa have England hero Ollie Watkins as their first choice forward.
Although Watkins should be at West Ham not Villa after a confession that’s hard to hear for Hammers fans.
Villa drop biggest hint yet Duran could join West Ham
Beyond that the Villans have Duran. But they also have a young homegrown star who is highly rated by Emery coming to a crossroads in his Villa career – Cameron Archer.
And it seems there is great news for West Ham.
Because Villa have now confirmed Archer will be returning to the club after a loan spell with Sheffield United.
It comes after Emery previously expressed his desire to keep the player at Villa Park long term.
Lopetegui’s fellow Spaniard told Birmingham Live of Archer and fellow Aston Villa forward Duran: “He’s a player we will need because he is our second striker with Cameron Archer and we have to use both as well and we have to give them chances to help us, but it’s not a possibility for Jhon Duran to go on loan, it’s to stay here.”
Emery stated back in May that Archer would be returning to the Villa fold as he assessed what to do about the forward department for next season.
“Yes at the beginning he’s coming back,” Emery told Birmingham Mail.
“We are analysing (players) and we are going to meet with (owners) Nassef (Sawiris) and Wes Edens).”
Now Villa have ended speculation Archer could be sold to Sheffield United by confirming his return.
And it seems that could pave the way for West Ham to get a deal done for Duran.
“Aston Villa can confirm that Cameron Archer has returned from Sheffield United under the terms of the initial transfer agreement,” a Villa statement reads.
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