West Ham United face Jhon Duran transfer stumbling block amid £25m verdict
Dan Bardell thinks West Ham might face a stumbling block in their pursuit of Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran if the fee required goes above the £20-25million mark.
A report from talkSPORT (4 July) suggested that the Hammers are set to rival Chelsea in a deal to sign the Colombian.
The 20-year-old has been linked with a move to the London Stadium since January but an agreement with the Villans wasn’t reached [Daily Mail, 29 January].
It was previously reported by the Guardian (14 June) that Duran would cost Chelsea £40m. Sky Sports journalist Bardell thinks a new striker is needed amid doubts of Michail Antonio and Danny Ings but thinks the fee might be an issue in a “high demand” market.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Bardell said: “I think he would be different to what they already have.
“They have Antonio and Ings, ironically Duran replaced Ings at Villa a few years ago now. Duran is still very raw and we don’t really know what he is going to be.
“I think West Ham need a new striker, Duran is relatively proven in the Premier League. I think the fee is what matters for West Ham, anything upwards of £20-25 million is a lot of money.
“That’s the market we are in with strikers being in high demand this summer.“
West Ham interested in Jhon Duran
The Hammers have been interested in bringing in a new striker throughout the summer transfer window so far.
Tim Steidten has already brought in young winger Luis Guilherme from Palmerias this summer but a more central forward is clearly a target for the club.
Ings has been heavily linked with a return to Southampton, which could see the Hammers left even lighter in the striker position, though he hasn’t had a much of an impact at the London Stadium anyway.
Duran certainly falls under the category of a “high-potential” talent and he has plenty of facets to his game that could make him a useful player under Lopetegui.
In his time with the Villans, he has divided opinion but has ultimately scored goals when afforded game time by Unai Emery.
In other West Ham news, Juventus have now entered the summer transfer race for Todibo amid links with the London Stadium
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