Aston Villa manager Unai Emery appears to have made a surprising change of stance regarding Jhon Duran, which could be great news for West Ham United.
Throughout the summer, West Ham was actively pursuing Duran, but ultimately missed out on securing the 20-year-old striker after Villa set a hefty price tag of over £40 million. In hindsight, it seems West Ham may have been wise to push forward with the deal despite the cost, as Duran possesses undeniable potential. At that price, he would have undoubtedly been a game-changer for the Hammers, offering a dynamic and youthful presence that could have lifted the team to new heights.
At one point, it seemed as though a deal for Duran was imminent, with the young striker even making a gesture of solidarity with West Ham fans by performing the iconic ‘crossed hammers’ sign during a live stream. This gesture fueled speculation that he was on the verge of a move to the London Stadium, but in the end, it was Aston Villa who secured his signature. Instead of Duran, West Ham ended up signing Niclas Füllkrug from Werder Bremen, a transfer that, so far, has had mixed results.
Looking ahead to the January transfer window, it’s clear that West Ham, under the guidance of manager Julen Lopetegui and sporting director Tim Steidten, are continuing to search for a striker who can elevate the club’s attacking prowess. And for me, there’s no better option than Jhon Duran. The young Colombian has been in scintillating form for Villa this season, netting eight goals. However, despite his impressive performances, he is not a regular starter for Aston Villa and currently plays second fiddle to Ollie Watkins in the striker role. This situation has led to increasing speculation about his future at Villa Park, especially given his desire to be the main man up front.
Recent reports from his home country suggest that Emery is demanding more from Duran to earn a regular starting spot. According to Antena 2, the Villa manager is not fully convinced by Duran’s development and has warned that if he doesn’t see significant improvement, the striker could be sold. This revelation has opened the door for potential suitors, and it seems that West Ham may now have an opportunity to revisit their interest in Duran.
Given the circumstances, I strongly believe that West Ham should make another move for Duran in the January transfer window. A firm offer of £40 million could be enough to tempt Villa into parting with the talented young forward. Even though Villa have benefitted from Duran’s contributions this season, there’s a sense that something isn’t quite right at Villa Park, and they may be open to selling him. If West Ham can manage to secure Duran’s signature, it could mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the club.
If the Hammers manage to bring Jhon Duran to London, they could have a real gem on their hands. With his pace, skill, and goal-scoring ability, Duran could provide the team with a cutting-edge forward to complement their existing squad, making West Ham a much more formidable side in the second half of the season. In my opinion, this is an opportunity that the club should not miss, and they should move decisively in January to bring him in.