Aston Villa reject Jhon Duran bid
It’s a rare occurrence indeed when a transfer bid infuriates both the buying and selling clubs’ supporters.
However, that is precisely what’s happened following West Ham’s £57 million bid for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran yesterday.
The most confusing issue seems to be that the Hammers—unlike Don Corleone—not only made the Midlander’s an offer they could refuse but one they most certainly would refuse.
As I mentioned in a previous article, my own take is that the transfer was simply to unsettle the Colombian striker, which in itself is not an unusual tactic.
However, I have never seen a transfer bid that has been greeted with more derision by a fan base before. In essence, practically nobody believed it would happen.
Duran’s value is believed to be in excess of £75 million. The irony is that West Ham fans completely understand the club does not have that sort of money. There remains a level of frustration that we didn’t buy him when we had the chance, but most would understand that the striker is now out of our reach.
The problems arise when we are seen to be making transfer bids that are so far short of valuations they will never be accepted. Usually, offers for players generate excitement and a buzz among fans. Unfortunately, yesterday’s transfer bid for Jhon Duran has been received as nothing more than a publicity stunt, and as such, the excitement has been replaced with frustration.
So, we now have a situation where West Ham fans are embarrassed and Aston Villa are insulted—which is far from ideal with the game on the horizon
