From Sebastian Haller to Gianluca Scamacca, West Ham has struggled to find a reliable striker. This summer, they cannot afford to miss the mark again. Michail Antonio is no longer in peak form, and Danny Ings has underperformed at the London Stadium.
The upcoming weeks will be a crucial test for Tim Steidten, and his decisions could significantly impact Julen Lopetegui’s inaugural season as the club’s manager.
Despite recent stalled negotiations, one player the Hammers are highly interested in is Jhon Duran. Many believe he could finally resolve their long-standing striker issues. Although Duran hasn’t had much playing time at Aston Villa, he has shown promise. At just 20 years old, he possesses the potential to become a top forward, and his limited opportunities are largely due to the strong competition from Ollie Watkins.
Former Aston Villa CEO Keith Wayness considers Duran an ideal signing for West Ham. “They have had a problem with a No.9 right from the days of Haller,” he told Football Insider. “I’ve seen a number of forwards come in that haven’t quite clicked. I rate Duran. I think he could be a good player for them and fit the style.”
Wayness adds, “But we have got to see what Lopetegui is going to do. I think there has been some fan disquiet already. It’s a little bit early, but there are rumblings. But I think Duran has shown the talent he’s got and could be a serious Premier League striker. If he’s injury-free, I think he could be the answer.”
Currently, West Ham’s chances of signing the Colombian are hindered by Aston Villa’s £35 million valuation. However, if an agreement is reached, Duran will have much to prove, but there is every reason to believe he can silence any critics.
