West Ham United have added Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran to their list of summer striker targets, as reported by talkSPORT. Duran, previously linked with Chelsea, is available to leave Villa Park this summer. According to talkSPORT, he is not seen as ‘a major part’ of manager Unai Emery’s plans for next season.
With new West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui eager to bolster the Hammers’ attack, Duran has been identified as a potential acquisition this summer. The 20-year-old struggled for playing time in his first full season at Villa, ranking behind Ollie Watkins in the pecking order. The Colombia international joined Villa from Chicago Fire in an £18 million deal in January 2023 but made just three appearances in Emery’s starting eleven in the Premier League last season.
Chelsea’s interest in Duran seems to have cooled off after June links, as the Blues went on to sign Aston Villa starlet Omari Kellyman and are set to complete a deal for Barcelona teenager Marc Guiu. Despite signing a five-year deal with Aston Villa last year, Duran failed to impress Emery and is now eyed by West Ham, who are keen to bring in a natural centre-forward after relying on winger Jarrod Bowen’s goals last season.
According to talkSPORT, Aston Villa are open to hearing offers for Duran this summer, only 18 months after his arrival from Chicago Fire. Villa might be looking to make a profit from Duran’s sale ahead of their debut Champions League campaign, as Unai Emery’s side seeks to strengthen several positions ahead of their historic season.
Duran was linked with an exit as early as January, with Chelsea reportedly willing to offer around £25 million for the Colombian, who played just 462 minutes of Premier League football last season. With West Ham emerging as potential suitors, Duran could be offered a way out of Villa Park amid uncertainty over Emery’s plans for the striker next season. His Villa teammate Douglas Luiz praised him last term, calling him ‘so good.’
The Hammers’ technical director Tim Steidten has predicted a ‘busy summer’ for West Ham, as the club has no concerns over the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. West Ham are also weighing up whether to make an improved bid for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo after seeing their initial bid rejected by the Ligue 1 outfit, as revealed by GIVEMESPORT sources.
