Colombian forward Jhon Duran is surely on his way to West Ham after Fabrizio Romano’s new Aston Villa announcement.
West Ham and Aston Villa are looking increasingly likely to agree a big money deal for Jhon Duran next week.
Hammers News understands West Ham are now receiving real encouragement over the possibility of bringing the 20-year-old wantaway Aston Villa striker to east London.
And events at Villa Park in recent days tally with that information.
When the Hammers signed Danny Ings from Aston Villa for £15m 18 months ago, it did not work out too well.
The soon-to-be 32-year-old has scored just four goals in 52 appearances for West Ham.
Although one of those was a crucial strike on the way to helping the Hammers win their first trophy for 43 years. So some may say that made Ings worth the £15m alone.
Now, though, West Ham have set their sights on replacing Ings, rather ironically, with the latest striker to find himself frustrated at playing second fiddle to Ollie Watkins.
Former Chicago Fire striker Duran has impressed when given the chance by Aston Villa boss Unai Emery.
West Ham pushing to sign Villa striker
But those chances have come too few and far between for Duran’s liking.
Duran has been on West Ham’s wanted list since last year.
New Hammers head coach and Emery’s compatriot Julen Lopetegui clearly agrees with Steidten’s judgement given Duran has become the main focus of West Ham’s striker search.
West Ham confirmed exclusively to Hammers News that “Duran is one of many we are looking at”.
The club’s new found confidence of getting a deal done stems from several interesting developments.
Duran has made it clear he’s open to leaving Villa for the Hammers.
This week a source close to West Ham majority owner David Sullivan revealed the Hammers could strike a deal with Villa for Duran next week.
Then Villa dropped a big hint Duran will be allowed to leave by confirming striker Cameron Archer – highly rated by Emery – would be returning from Sheffield United to be part of their squad.
Archer is effectively a free transfer but Villa forfeited the £15m that was due from the Blades in order to keep him.
Now Duran is surely on his way to West Ham after Fabrizio Romano’s new Aston Villa announcement.
Duran surely on his way to West Ham after Villa announcement
There has been a big twist involving another reported Hammers target.
And it appears to all but confirm Duran will be heading out of the Villa Park exit.
West Ham had been rivalling Ipswich and Crystal Palace for Hull’s talented attacker Jaden Philogene.
Now Romano has confirmed Philogene, who was sold to Hull by Villa, will be returning to his old club instead after Emery activated a buy-back clause in the deal.
Philogene is not an out-and-out striker but he can play there. It now gives Emery even more options up front, meaning even more competition for an already impatient Duran.
Villa’s owners have been bemoaning how restrictive PSR rules have been for their spending.
So having already made signings totalling around £70m, cancelling the £15m due for Archer and now bringing Philogene back too for a reported £13m, Villa will likely be more receptive to West Ham’s approach to buy Duran.
“Jaden Philogene returns to Aston Villa after the club activated matching rights earlier this week!” Romano said.
“Deal worth £13m as Villa had 30% sell-on clause included in agreement with Hull City.
“Philogene signs five year deal, Emery wanted him back — medical and formal steps soon.”
The return of Philogene to Villa can only be good news for West Ham’s Duran hopes.
Even if Moussa Diaby is sold to Saudi Arabia by Emery too.
This is now one to watch after Duran’s Copa America campaign finishes on Monday with Colombia taking on Argentina in the final.
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