Late January transfer window priority emerges at West Ham United as Jhon Duran decision made
West Ham United will prioritise the signing of a new striker during the January transfer window after seeing an approach rejected for Jhon Duran, according to talkSPORT.
The broadcaster reported on its website on Sunday (21 January) that the Hammers’ advances have been turned down by Aston Villa as Unai Emery wants to keep the Colombian as a backup to Ollie Watkins for the remainder of the season.
A move for Duran is now seemingly off the cards at the London Stadium this month, but David Moyes and those above him are keen to sign a new number nine before the end of the month with few options as an out-and-out striker at the club.
Priority set
It has been clear since before a ball was kicked in the Premier League season that West Ham United would be short on goals in the central striker position. The Hammers took a big risk in the summer by selling Gianluca Scamacca without having a replacement ready to come in.
Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus have been electric when fit and available this term but neither are genuine number nines. With Michail Antonio advancing in years and struggling to stay fit and Danny Ings unlikely to viable long-term option, there is clearly a void that needs to be filled.
Neither number nine has been good enough in the final third and they cannot be relied upon to consistently find the net. However, the Hammers have left it incredibly late in the month to attempt to find a new centre-forward for the remainder of the campaign.
Having seen approaches for both Emile Smith-Rowe and Duran rejected almost immediately, it feels like there is a sense of desperation in East London at the moment. Whether or not a new number nine will arrive remains to be seen.
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