Sport nationWest Ham United has identified Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran as their primary attacking transfer target, according to The Athletic. Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidten are keen to bring the 20-year-old Colombian to the London Stadium, and a loan-to-buy offer was already rejected in January.
However, Villa manager Unai Emery is now open to letting Duran leave, and the Hammers are ready to pounce. Duran has been struggling to get first-team opportunities at Villa Park, and Lopetegui’s plans to play with a lone striker in either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation have made Duran a top target.
Despite his limited goal record of just eight goals in 49 appearances for Villa, Duran has generated substantial interest from top clubs like Chelsea and AC Milan. However, concerns over his physical conditioning have made some clubs hesitant to spend big on him.
West Ham’s recent record of investing in strikers has been mixed, with Sebastien Haller, Gianluca Scamacca, and Danny Ings all failing to deliver value for money. However, there is a sense that Duran has the potential to be a lot more than what he has shown so far.
With a £35million bid already made and personal terms agreed, Duran would surely be in contention for the top spot at West Ham. However, some supporters might feel more confident if Steidten brought in a more established name in addition to Duran.
As the transfer saga unfolds, West Ham fans will be eagerly awaiting news of any potential arrivals. With the Hammers keen to strengthen their attacking options, Duran could be the perfect addition to Lopetegui’s squad.
In other news, a Premier League rival is planning a major move to sign an important Hammers player. Stay tuned for more updates on West Ham’s transfer activity this summer.
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