‘Complete Forward’ Also ‘Keen’ to Join West Ham
Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran would still be keen on a move to West Ham United this summer, despite the Hammers having signed Niclas Füllkrug already to bolster their attack, journalist Fabrizio Romano has exclusively told Reporters.
Duran, 20, impressed in his backup role at Aston Villa last season, netting five Premier League goals from just three league starts, and has been linked with moves to several sides as a result this summer, including West Ham.
Despite Julen Lopetegui’s side having signed Borussia Dortmund and Germany forward Füllkrug already this summer to add to their attack, Duran has still given priority to them should he leave Villa Park in this window, amidst interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, according to Romano.
The Italian transfer specialist also remarked that any deal taking Duran to West Ham would likely be very expensive for the club to consider, with over £100m having been spent on Fullkrug, Crysencio Summerville, Max Kilman and Luis Guilherme this summer already.
Duran “Still Keen” on West Ham Switch
The Colombian has been on the Hammers’ watchlist all summer
Fullkrug’s West Ham capture may spoil the mood for Jhon Duran – described as being a “complete forward” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig – this summer, as the 20-year-old forward has reportedly been “desperate” for Aston Villa to sell him to West Ham this summer.
However, with Fullkrug arriving as part of a £100m+ spending spree this summer, the £40m valuation placed on Duran’s head this summer by Villa may prove too costly for West Ham to go for, having now filled the role required at the helm of the attack.
Another striker, particularly a youthful option such as Duran, may still interest West Ham, however, with Danny Ings and Michail Antonio being the only two other forward options available for The Hammers, with Fullkrug and that duo being aged 31, 32 and 34 respectively.
Speaking on a potential deal, Fabrizio Romano told reporters the details of Duran’s interest, including his prioritisation of West Ham over a Saudi Arabian switch:
“At the moment, West Ham’s full focus was on Fullkrug, so I think that also [signing] Jhon Duran would be really, really expensive. Let’s see what West Ham decide to do.
“For sure, the player would still be keen on the move, because the player always wanted to go to West Ham. There was also a call from Saudi from Al-Hilal for Jhon Duran, but the player always decided to give priority to West Ham.”
