West Ham are interested in signing Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran, according to talkSPORT.
The radio station claims that the Colombian international has been “added” to the Hammers’ list of transfer targets as they look to strengthen their forward line.
Duran has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in recent weeks, with reports even suggesting that the Blues had agreed a £42m fee with Villa for the striker.
However, it appears that Enzo Maresca’s side have had second thoughts about the deal, having subsequently cooled their interest and made bids for other players.
What has Duran said about his future?
The 20-year-old was asked about the prospect of a transfer last month, and he said he was leaving it in the hands of his agents while he plays for his country:
“The options of the other teams I don’t know, I am not aware now. I’m focused on the national team, at the Copa America, wanting to add minutes, supporting the team a lot. For those topics of possible signing I already have other people who take care of that.”
West Ham have targeted a number of forwards
Duran is by no means the only No.9 that Irons technical director Tim Steidten has identified as a potential target.
Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesryi, Lille’s Jonathan David, Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion, Toulouse’s Thijs Dallinga, Cercle Brugge’s Kevin Denkey, Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface and even Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin have also been mentioned as options.
Where Duran features on that list, it isn’t known. He is a player with massive potential but, with an asking price in excess of £40m, you can’t see West Ham being prepared to pay that much for him. We shall see who emerges as the club’s top priority over the coming days.
