West Ham have already put plans in place to make a striker signing in January but not if Aston Villa have anything to do with it.
Had West Ham got their way in the summer Aston Villa back-up striker star Jhon Duran would be leading the line for Julen Lopetegui’s side right now.
The Duran saga has been well publicised.
The Colombian star was seen by West Ham fans as exactly what they needed up front as links intensified over the summer.
Duran seemed up for leaving Aston Villa for West Ham too.
He infamously did a crossed Hammers gesture on a live social media video sparking speculation a deal was done between West Ham and Villa.
But West Ham refused to meet Aston Villa’s £40m asking price.
And, as confirmed by the top source inside the club over the weekend, technical director Tim Steidten then chose to sign Niclas Fullkrug instead.
Villa hijack move West Ham are putting in place for January
The jury is out on whether that move will be a success with Fullkrug out injured until after the October international break.
Most West Ham fans were in agreement the club should have signed two strikers, though.
Watching Duran’s redemption arc at Aston Villa has been painful viewing for the Hammers and undoubtedly for Steidten and the owners too.
Rumours are still circling here and there that the Hammers might try and persuade Aston Villa to sell Duran again.
But he’s not the only striker the club are eyeing.
West Ham have created the second fewest big chances in the Premier League so far under their new head coach.
The Irons have just six goals in the first six games too.
It seems Steidten has already realised he should have signed a second striker.
And the German is letting Lopetegui pick one ahead of the January window.
There could be a problem, though.
Because Aston Villa are trying to hijack the move West Ham are putting in place for January but it could be good news.
Villa’s Duro move could be good news for Hammers regardless
It was reported yesterday that West Ham have launched a ‘serious’ move for Spanish forward Hugo Duro.
The 24-year-old scored 13 goals and laid on two assists in 35 games last season for Valencia.
Duro has already found the net twice in five games this term too.
He is a high-energy forward who leads his team’s pressing. And Caught Offside claim West Ham’s manager is a huge fan.
The issue is that so, it’s claimed, is Unai Emery and Villa sporting director Monchi.
That should be no major surprise given Monchi and Lopetegui worked together at Sevilla at a time when Duro was emerging as a top young talent in Spain.
But the report carries news that could be massive for West Ham even if Villa beat them to Duro.
It is claimed Aston Villa are now ‘in a fierce battle’ behind the scenes to secure the services of the Spanish striker.
Villa winning race might open the door for second shot at Duran
Both clubs want to sign him in January with a fee of around £20m touted.
It then delves deeper, stating that Villa believe Duro’s dynamism will see him forge a potent partnership with Ollie Watkins.
And it’s claimed that’s because Duran’s future is still up in the air as the forward remains unhappy at not being the first choice forward.
“There is talk of Duro forming a potent partnership with Ollie Watkins at Villa Park, with some questions remaining over whether or not Jhon Duran will stay at Villa Park for the long term, with clubs continuing to show an interest in the Colombia international, who is still not entirely guaranteed regular playing time at the Midlands club,” the report states.
If Villa beat West Ham to Duro – could that mean the door opens again for a second shot at Duran.
Time will tell and fans only have three months to wait to find out.
Related Topics
