Aston Villa ‘to ask for Jarrod Bowen transfer conditions’ amid Duran development. Aston Villa could make a move to sign Jarrod Bowen in response to West Ham’s attempts to bring Jhon Duran to the London Stadium.
As reported by Sky Sports News (21 January), Unai Emery’s side have rejected a second West Ham bid for Duran which was thought to be worth £57million – although other sources insist that figure is incorrect. Villa are understood to be “livid” with the Hammers over the timing of this bid, with Duran considered not for sale as a £100million price tag is slapped on the Colombian [via The Guardian, 20 January].
And ex-Villa scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – believes the West Midlands-based outfit should go after one of West Ham’s star players in response. “If West Ham want Duran, they’ll return with a bid of at least £65million,” King said.
“However, Villa are ambitious and have more chance of winning something this season than West Ham. The only thing that West Ham could offer Duran is regular first-team football.
“That would be quite an attractive front three – Mohammed Kudus, Bowen and Duran through the middle. That would probably be a more impressive frontline than what Villa have. Therefore, I expect Villa to return and ask West Ham how much they want for Bowen – that might stop this whole Duran procedure.
“Villa are still competing in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup. Therefore, they shouldn’t be looking to sell Duran – not if they want to win something. Meanwhile, West Ham are out of the FA Cup, and they don’t look like qualifying for European football.”
Aston Villa to enquire about signing West Ham star Jarrod Bowen?
Approaching West Ham about a move for Bowen could convince Graham Potter’s side to stay away from Duran and would perhaps be a genius way to end any transfer speculation.
However, in terms of actually signing Bowen, that seems unlikely. As for Duran, it is clear that Emery’s side have no interest in letting the striker go.
The 21-year-old has struck seven times in the Premier League this season, although most of his appearances have come from the bench – with conflict mooted between Ollie Watkins and Duran as a result of both strikers competing for the same position.
Therefore, if Villa want to keep hold of Duran, they will need to start offering him more regular first-team football, otherwise, the player himself could push for a move away.
In other Aston Villa news, Wolves have made a last-gasp transfer swoop for one Player at the club.
