West Ham have not given up on completing the signing of Aston Villa attacker Jhon Duran this summer, according to a new report from HITC.
The Hammers have made an impressive eight signings in the current transfer window, making massive inroads since Julen Lopetegui replaced David Moyes as manager at the end of last season.
Among the new faces are Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo, both of whom have added genuine quality at centre-back, following Angelo Ogbonna’s exit and ahead of the likely departure of Kurt Zouma.
Meanwhile, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has arrived from Manchester United, giving Lopetegui more competition for Vladimir Coufal at right-back, while Cysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug have been added to West Ham’s attack.
It looks as though the Hammers still aren’t done when it comes to their summer business, however, with HITC claiming that a move for Duran is still possible.
The report says that West Ham “retain an interest” in the 20-year-old, having tracked him throughout the summer, adding that “the Hammers have already signed German striker Fullkrug but they want more in terms of back-up”.
Duran could be an ideal option to come in alongside Fullkrug ahead of the new Premier League season, arriving as a deputy to the German, who looks almost certain to lead the line after excelling for Borussia Dortmund last term, reaching the Champions League final.
The Villa youngster is still a raw talent, but he does now have 35 appearances to his name in the Premier League – he has scored five goals in that time, too – while Unai Emery has said of him:
“Jhon Duran is a special player. We have to try and help him. He is a good guy, and he needs a team behind him. He is getting our demands better. He was very clinical and today was important for him.”
While Duran would no doubt love to be a regular starter for West Ham, his age, coupled with Fullkrug’s experience and pedigree, means he would likely have to accept a squad role.
In truth, the Colombian arguably has more chance of minutes at the London Stadium than he does at Villa, though, so sealing a move there makes sense for him.
