West Ham United play a blinder as Jhon Duran transfer twist emerges
West Ham United’s transfer window thus far has been full of twists and turns, and the latest developments suggest they might still be in the race for Aston Villa ace Jhon Duran.
Amid reports linking the Irons to Borussia Dortmund’s Niclas Fullkrug [Dharmesh Sheth, 30 July], it looks like the Hammers might be playing a clever game to secure their real top target.
Tim Steidten’s search for a new striker has been ongoing, with a plethora of names making headlines as potential replacements.
However, despite initial interest in young Colombian Duran from Villa, negotiations have been tricky.
A tactical move by Tim Steidten in Jhon Duran pursuit?
Villa rejected the Hammers’ player-plus-cash offer, leading the East London club to explore other options, like Fullkrug.
However, there are hints that the interest in Fullkrug could be a smokescreen. According to GIVEMESPORT [30 July], the ultimate goal might be to pressure Villa into lowering their asking price for Duran.
Fullkrug, who is a seasoned striker with experience across Germany and on the international stage, doesn’t quite fit the youthful profile West Ham initially sought. At 31, he’s at a different stage of his career compared to the promising 20-year-old Duran.
While Fullkrug’s pedigree is impressive, his age and the potential for a slow start in a new league could be risky.
West Ham’s previous attempts with players like Gianluca Scamacca and Sebastian Haller didn’t yield the desired results, making them cautious about repeating those mistakes.
In contrast, Duran represents a long-term investment. His age and potential make him a more attractive option if the Hammers are thinking ahead. And, the fact that other Premier League clubs like Chelsea have shown interest only adds to his allure.
As the transfer window nears its end, West Ham’s manoeuvring with Fullkrug might just be a strategic play to secure Duran at a more favourable price.
If this is the case, it shows that Steidten is not just making moves but is also playing the long game with savvy and foresight.
In other West Ham news, an update on Reiss Nelson’s current situation as the side explore a move.
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