Whilst waiting for this story to get corroboration from within the club, it is worth confirming that sources claim now a £57 million bid has been made for Jhon Duran, West Ham’s fantasy striker target who was missed in the summer. Reported by David Ornstein the bid is a huge increase on figures already rejected by Aston Villa last Summer and earlier this month.
Reports claim though, that Aston Villa have knocked back the bid for their 21 year old Columbian striker and have ‘no intention’ of letting him leave the club. Duran has, for months been West Ham’s biggest single regret and ‘near miss’ of recent windows: Reputedly the club could have signed the front man for £40 million had they not dragged their feet in August.
So near and yet so far – the mood music coming out of Aston Villa is not optimistic for The Hammers but where there is life, there is hope: And remember the Max Kilman negotiations last summer when three consecutive bids were refused before a deal was struck.
Never say never – we know how much the player wants a move and that should not be underestimated. He badly wants to be the ‘top man’ at a club and at present is getting very little game time in the Midlands. A move to PSG has been mooted for the Columbian who would simply swap Paris for Birmingham – enticing – but still wouldn’t make him the first choice striker. probably either further down the pecking order. At West Ham, Duran could be the successor to Michail Antonio and genuine first choice number 9. And an East London hero to boot.
No question that the Hammers are in dire need – and what a statement of support for new boss Graham Potter a marquee signing like this would be. A whole other story is how this deal would actually be financed- watch this space as it will either disappear without trace in the next few days along with all the other ‘January rumours’ or accelerate towards fruition.
