West Ham’s Jhon Duran talks were so ‘bonkers’ even Chelsea walked away

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West Ham did hold talks about finally signing Jhon Duran but they were so ‘bonkers’ that even mega rich rivals Chelsea decided to walk away.

In a staggering development from a top transfer insider, Hammers News can reveal the ‘eye-watering’ discussions which saw West Ham’s long-running Jhon Duran saga come to an end.

London rivals Chelsea were also considering the move – having been linked with Duran when West Ham were trying to sign him last summer.

But despite their seemingly limitless wealth and ambition, they were scared off a deal too.

Last summer West Ham appeared to have Duran all but signed when he did the crossed Hammers salute on social media after being asked about his future.

West Ham and Chelsea had Duran talks with Al-Nassr

In the end the Hammers elected to spend their £45m striker budget on two players rather than go all in for Duran at Aston Villa.

Chelsea reportedly wanted the fiery Colombian too but he remained at Villa and enjoyed a storming first half of the season.

West Ham tried again in January when it emerged Villa were looking to sell.

It was confirmed West Ham offered a club record £57.5m for the 21-year-old – a move which drew criticism from sceptical supporters.

Villa sold Duran to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr for £65m instead.

There was a sudden twist earlier this month when it emerged Al Nassr were planning to let Duran leave on loan.

It was stated that the striker had failed to settle in Saudi and was ‘struggling mentally and personally’.

West Ham confirmed they made a new Duran enquiry and Chelsea were linked too as they sought another forward amid doubts over the future of Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku.

The West Ham board exclusively told Hammers News they were informed Duran was not available for loan when they first enquired earlier this month.

West Ham’s Duran talks so ‘bonkers’ even Chelsea walked away

Now longstanding West Ham target Duran is joining Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in a loan deal, suggesting the Hammers were misinformed.

But now more recent dialogue between the Hammers and Al-Nassr has been revealed by a top transfer insider.

And West Ham’s Duran talks were so ‘bonkers’ even Chelsea walked away.

According to football correspondent Graeme Bailey, West Ham were told that Fenerbahce – for just one season on loan – will be paying more than £20million for Duran.

Huge £20m package for one season made move ‘impossible’

The figures involved, described as ‘bonkers’, includes taking on Duran’s entire 300k-per-week wages and a loan fee.

All with no guarantee he would stay after that.

And top Chelsea insider has also confirmed the Blues walked away after similar discussions.

“A host of clubs were offered Duran last week after it emerged he was looking to move and also that Al-Nassr and the Saudi Pro League would sanction a loan,” Bailey exclusively told Hammers News.

“West Ham were told the figures, but I believe they were eye-watering – Duran’s wages and loan fee just made it impossible for West Ham to consider.

“They like the player a lot and were quite close to him before, but it just wasn’t meant to be at those figures.”

Chelsea insider Si Phillips has confirmed the Blues also made contact with Al-Nassr over a potential deal.

But his sources revealed they too turned down the move due to the figures involved and ‘concerns over Duran’s attitude’.

Chelsea have since agreed a deal to sign striker Joao Pedro from Brighton.

And the Blues are now turning their attentions to agreeing a deal with West Ham for Mohammed Kudus.