West Ham have been in the hunt for a new striker to work with the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen up top, as the Hammers are intent on giving Julen Lopetegui every chance to succeed in his first season as manager.
Lopetegui’s former Sevilla star Youssef En-Nesyri initially looked like the favorite to become the next West Ham No. 9, but that trail has gone ice cold over the last two weeks.
Now, Jhon Duran of Aston Villa is the clear favorite to be the next striker for West Ham, based on the frequency of transfer links between the two Premier League clubs.
West Ham have gone as far as to offer 32 million pounds plus midfield talent Lewis Orford, one of the club’s best prospects, in order to meet the 40 million pound valuation set by Aston Villa for Duran.
Many would argue that the 40 million pound valuation was overpay to begin with and that an offer of Orford plus 32 million pounds exceeds even that price point set by Monchi and Aston Villa.
Insanely enough, Fabrizio Romano reports that Aston Villa have outright rejected this latest transfer offer from West Ham, bringing all parties back to square one.
Duran is probably incensed at how the negotiations have gone, as West Ham have submitted fair offers for the striker, who is Ollie Watkins’ backup and clearly wants out of Aston Villa.
It makes West Ham fans want to pull out of the transfer battle, already alienated that the club is offering a top, homegrown talent for another young and unproven player – plus a huge sum of money.
Duran is very talented, but this feels like Aston Villa are trying to take a Premier League rival for European places along for a ride. It doesn’t appear they are serious about selling Duran either.
