The Football Faithful
·20 Januari 2025
The Football Faithful
·20 Januari 2025
West Ham have submitted a club-record bid of £57m to sign Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran.
The Hammers have a long-standing interest in Duran and failed with an approach to sign the Colombian centre-forward in the summer. Duran has since enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with Aston Villa, scoring 12 times in 27 appearances across all competitions.
His return comes despite starting just seven games with Duran having averaged a goal every 82 minutes so far this season.
The Athletic have revealed that West Ham have now lodged a record-breaking bid to sign the striker, as the East Londoners look to back new head coach Graham Potter. West Ham are mired in 14th in the Premier League table after a disappointing start to the campaign. The Irons sacked Julen Lopetegui as head coach earlier this month with Potter named as his replacement.
Potter’s task has been made difficult by a lack of forward options. Jarrod Bowen (fractured foot) and Niclas Fullkrug (hamstring) are sidelined, while Michail Antonio faces a long recovery after being involved in a serious road traffic accident last month.
West Ham have been linked with several strikers this month, including Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, RB Leipzig forward Andre Silva and Nottingham Forest frontman Taiwo Awoniyi. However, the club’s board are prepared to back Potter with a big bid to bring Duran to the London Stadium.
Villa are expected to reject the bid and have no intention of selling Duran. After turning down approaches for the player in the summer, Villa tied Duran down to a new contract that runs until 2030.