Julen Lopetegui transfer objective emerges at West Ham United amid Jhon Duran update
West Ham United’s “main objective” in the transfer market is signing a new striker amid interest in Jhon Duran, according to the Evening Standard.
The outlet reported on its website on Tuesday (9 July) that the Hammers are ready to step up their search for a new centre-forward this summer, having completed the signing of Wolves defender Max Kilman.
Julen Lopetegui’s side are looking at and considering a number of potential candidates to fill the void at the top end of the pitch, with Villa and Colombia forward one striker of interest.
Reports suggest the Irons have already managed to agree on personal terms with the 20-year-old having also submitted a bid worth £35million to try and prize him away from Villa Park [Fabrizio Romano, 9 July].
Are West Ham United close to any new signings in the summer transfer window?
It is good to see that Lopetegui and Tim Steidten are finally taking the time to try and address the striker problem that has been causing West Ham a problem for the last couple of seasons at the London Stadium.
There has been a reliance on Michail Antonio to lead the line week in and week out over and while the Jamaican international has always given his all, he doesn’t have the clinical edge required to score 20 goals a season.
Duran is an incredibly raw talent and while he hasn’t necessarily hit the heights expected of him yet at Villa Park, he has shown during his brief time in the Premier League that he has the talent to be a real menace.
If the Irons can get a deal over the line for him before the season gets underway, he would be an excellent addition to Lopetetgui’s ranks, but it is also good to see West Ham aren’t putting all their eggs into one basket.
Hopefully, at least one of the targets will make the move to East London so that Antonio can finally have some more consistent support at the top end of the pitch.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are understood to be considering a new approach for Jonathan David after the Copa America
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