Jhon Duran on course to force Aston Villa exit amid West Ham United development
Jhon Duran is ready to force through an Aston Villa exit to join West Ham, according to GiveMeSport.
The online source reported [26 July] that the 20-year-old Colombian has shown “serious interest” in working under Julen Lopetegui, with the Hammers possibly about to submit another bid.
Villa rejected the Irons’ latest offer, according to Fabrizio Romano [25 July], with the club including a sell-on clause and youngster Lewis Orford in a bid worth £32million.
West Ham United ready to secure Jhon Duran signing?
Despite notching just eight goals in 49 appearances for the Villans, the young striker has shown great promise since arriving from MLS side Chicago Fire in January 2023.
Many of Duran’s best cameos have come in the Europa Conference League as Unai Emery led Villa to the semi-final before losing out to Olympiacos, who went on to lift the trophy.
He has not been able to prove himself in the Premier League yet, however, having been utilised as a rarely-seen backup for Ollie Watkins, being handed just three starts.
So, it comes as no surprise to see the young forward wanting a new challenge, and being linked with the London Stadium with the current striker problems on show.
Danny Ings and Michail Antonio are the only two striker options at Lopetegui’s disposal right now, though the search has been active to find an out-and-out No.9 to come in this summer.
While Duran still needs time to adapt to life in England, the attacking trio of Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen will provide him with more than enough chances to get his name on the scoresheet.
In addition to this, with Antonio likely to stick around for at least one more season, he will be able to learn from one of the club’s best-ever strikers in the Premier League era.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are “best placed” to sign Sergi Roberto as a Barcelona transfer update emerges.
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