West Ham could now get a second shot at signing Aston Villa star Jhon Duran after a training ground bust-up with Unai Emery.
Aston Villa star Jhon Duran was identified as West Ham’s top striker target in the summer.
West Ham refused to meet Villa’s £45m asking price, though, feeling it was too much for such an inexperienced player.
Much to West Ham’s despair, Duran has spent the first quarter of the season making that decision look ridiculous with his form for Aston Villa.
Meanwhile the man the Hammers signed instead, 31-year-old Niclas Fullkrug, has been out for two months and counting with no timeframe for his return.
Duran has been putting together a stunning redemption arc at Villa Park after angering fans by doing the crossed Hammers gesture on social media when a move to West Ham looked on the cards.
West Ham’s new Duran hope after Villa training row with Emery
Despite scoring eight goals this season, Duran still finds himself playing second fiddle to Ollie Watkins.
It was claimed recently that Duran remains on West Ham’s list of targets with signing a younger striker a necessity in the coming windows.
The report claimed the Hammers believe they can play on the fact Duran is not getting the regular starting berth he craves and think they may yet be able to sign him.
The Colombian opened up on his failed West Ham move for the first time at the weekend.
Duran conceded there was a chance he was going to move to the London Stadium.
And he said his burning desire to be the main striker coupled with a lack of patience means he may still want that at another club.
Duran admitted he may want to be main man elsewhere
Duran said he was happy at Villa for now but also admitted he has a ‘love and sometimes hate’ relationship with Unai Emery over his lack of starts.
Just days later West Ham have been given new Duran hope as a video emerges of an Aston Villa training bust-up with Emery.
Footage from the training session has been shared on social media.
It shows Duran appearing to be complaining about something to Emery and his staff while the rest of the squad warm up before training.
Emery eventually walks away and Duran appears to walk off in what’s been described as a “strop”.
He was later seeing moving around fine in training, dismissing suggestions he could be injured.
Hammers must try again for hot-headed striker
Duran has been in and out of favour with Villa fans over his outspoken nature and impatience.
But they were annoyed at the possibility Duran might leave for Premier League rivals West Ham.
And that only served to make West Ham supporters more excited at the prospect.
Given recent claims and the striker’s own comments about his future and “love, hate” relationship with Emery, this should give the Hammers serious encouragement.
Even if it means selling a couple of non-essential players to get it done, West Ham must try again for Duran the minute the January window opens.
And if it’s not possible then revisit the situation in the summer and promise him the starting role up front along with everything London life has to offer.
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