Another Striker: West Ham Interested in £40m “Weapon” to Challenge Füllkrug Right Away – Opinion
After last season’s heavy reliance on West Ham’s wide attackers for goal-scoring, Julen Lopetegui has prioritized signing a striker.
The club has been actively pursuing various names throughout the summer.
Michail Antonio managed seven goals across all competitions last season, while Danny Ings scored only once.
With the addition of Niclas Füllkrug, West Ham fans can look forward to having a dedicated goal-scoring number nine.
Füllkrug had an impressive season with Dortmund, making 46 appearances, scoring 16 goals, providing ten assists, and accumulating 3,605 minutes of play.
Despite Füllkrug’s arrival, journalist Graeme Bailey reports that West Ham have not abandoned their pursuit of Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran.
The Hammers are reportedly seeking additional backup, and Duran remains a target. This pursuit could impact the futures of Antonio and Ings, with speculation suggesting Ings was previously considered for a return to Southampton, although he rejected the move. Earlier reports suggested Duran could cost around £40 million.
Duran made 37 appearances for Aston Villa last season, scoring eight goals and totaling 1,103 minutes of play.
Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig describes Duran as a counter-attacking “weapon,” highlighting his pace, strong athletic build (standing at 6 feet 1 inch), and high upper body strength.
These attributes make Duran a promising fit for the Premier League.
Comparing Duran to Füllkrug, Duran’s metrics are based on 1,037 minutes, while Füllkrug’s are based on 3,585 minutes, which may affect the comparison.
Nevertheless, these metrics provide insight into their respective strengths. Duran’s confidence is evident in his high shooting metrics, averaging 3.83 shots per 90 minutes with 1.91 on target, and a conversion rate of 0.16 goals per shot, compared to Füllkrug’s 0.13.
Duran also averages 1.52 progressive carries and 1.01 successful take-ons per 90 minutes, supporting his reputation as a counter-attacking asset.
His ability to drive the team forward would complement players like Mohamed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen, and Crysencio Summerville.
While Füllkrug brings proven goal-scoring ability and assists, making him a valuable addition to West Ham, signing Duran could offer a younger striker to challenge Füllkrug and provide a fresh option for the team.
