Jhon Duran situation now ‘very complicated’ in West Ham United transfer update
West Ham making a move for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran is “very complicated” after they signed Niclas Fullkrug, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking to Give Me Sport (6 August), the Italian journalist said that while the Hammers going back in for Duran can’t be ruled out, the Colombian’s position and future at Villa Park is now extremely uncertain.
The Hammers had submitted several bids for Duran, who made that clear he wanted the move, but eventually turned their attention to Niclas Fullkrug with Villa holding firm to their £40million valuation [Evening Standard, 26 July].
On Duran’s situation after Fullkrug’s transfer, Romano said: “It’s making it very complicated. I can’t say impossible, but very complicated.
“It was a very important proposal Aston Villa received from West Ham and they always said no, because they believe the player is worth £40 million guaranteed.”
West Ham United set to close door on Jhon Duran transfer
With Fullkrug officially through the doors at the London Stadium just a matter of days after the Hammers opened negotiations, the club will be glad to have signed the striker they needed with minimal fuss.
That’s a stark contrast to their long, drawn-out pursuit of Duran, with several bids being rebuffed by Villa as they stuck to their £40m valuation – including one offer which included Irons youngster Lewis Orford [Sky Sports, 25 July].
Adding Fullkrug to their attacking arsenal as opposed to Duran for little over half Villa’s asking price [Sean Whetstone, 5 August] – despite the German being 11 years Duran’s elder – may prove to be a much better deal for the Irons.
Not only does Fullkrug have a proven track record at the highest of club and continental levels, his status as a late bloomer (first being capped by Germany in 2022) suggests he’s still got plenty more to give.
Centre-forward was far from the only area in which the Irons’ squad needed strengthening, and swerving a £40m layout on Duran could prove to be the shrewdest move Julen Lopetegui makes this summer.
In other West Ham news, two of the Irons’ star players could be subject to bids from one of the Premier League’s richest clubs.
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