Jhon Duran to complete West Ham United transfer, he won’t usurp Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa
Jhon Duran joining West Ham from Aston Villa this transfer window is a move that could happen as he won’t usurp Ollie Watkins, Frank McAvennie has said.
The Colombia international has had to play second fiddle to Watkins since moving to Villa Park from Chicago Fire in January 2023 and made only three Premier League starts last term, scoring five top-flight goals.
It was reported by talkSPORT (2 July) that the Hammers were ready to hijack Chelsea’s move for the 20-year-old, with the Blues having been tracking him since the January transfer window.
Hammers legend McAvennie thinks he could be a great signing for West Ham, who have their own issues in the striker position.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, he said: “He’s not getting in the Aston Villa team ahead of Ollie Watkins that’s for sure.
“I’ve no problem with that. I think if he got more game time at West Ham I’m delighted with that because if (Michail) Antonio gets injured and they put (Jarrod) Bowen up top and Bowen wants to play on the wing.
“It’s one of those, it’s going to be interesting to see how we start out, where this new manager takes us on this journey and it is a journey, we’re starting a journey.
“Players like Duran I can see it happening, Ollie Watkins is a hell of a player he’s not going to give up his jersey too easily.”
West Ham and Jhon Duran are a match made in heaven
No one is really doubting the potential Duran has but there is absolutely no doubt that he isn’t going to get ahead of Watkins in the Villa pecking order.
Conversely, the Hammers need a new striker. Antonio is in the twilight of his career, Danny Ings is out of favour and likely to be sold, and Bowen and Mohammed Kudus want to be playing deeper.
Which is why it feels like it has the potential to be a match made in heaven between the Hammers and Duran.
At the London Stadium, he would likely be the first-choice striker and get plenty of gametime under new boss Julen Lopetegui. This is one the Irons should really look to make happen.
In other West Ham news, Lopetegui is making the club go all in on a new transfer at the London Stadium.
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