Darren Bent shares new Jhon Duran verdict as West Ham United problem emerges
Darren Bent believes the signing of Aston Villa star Jhon Duran would have been a “turning point” for West Ham after missing out on the striker.
The Aston Villa man looked to be edging closer to a switch to the London Stadium before a move collapsed [Fabrizio Romano], with the Hammers signing Niclas Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund on a £27million deal instead [BBC Sport].
While Julen Lopetegui now has Fullkrug, Michail Antonio and Danny Ings at his disposal, Duran has hit the ground running at Villa Park, netting six goals in all competitions so far.
Ringing into talkSPORT on Thursday (10 October, 5:22pm), Hammers fan, Tony, said: “The big problem was missing out on the centre-forward position. No disrespect to Antonio but we were so close to getting Jhon Duran.”
In response, Bent said: “Getting him would have been the turning point,” before Andy Goldstein added: “Some player”.
West Ham United miss out on Aston Villa star Jhon Duran
The 20-year-old’s goal against the Hammers, in front of the London Stadium crowd in the opening game of the Premier League season, would have rubbed salt into the wounds.
While Duran only made three starts in the league last term, his talent was there for all to see, which was made rather clear by the Hammers’ push for his signature during the summer.
Fans were almost certain he was destined to depart Villa Park after making the Hammers sign while on an Instagram livestream, but the move never materialised and Lopetegui will now be rueing this.
It seems far too soon to judge Fullkrug’s spell at the London Stadium yet, having been injured for much of his time in East London, but his early cameos were nothing to shout home about.
Duran has been unable to earn his spot in Unai Emery’s starting XI yet, which just shows how much talent he has at Villa Park, while also frustrating West Ham fans more as he would be a guaranteed starter for them.
In other West Ham news, Jamie O’Hara has done a Hammers chant live on air, laughing at what a Tottenham fan said.
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