West Ham Pursues £40m Chelsea Target Following Defender Agreement

West Ham are actively negotiating a fee with Aston Villa for striker Jhon Duran. The Colombian international has been identified as a key transfer target as West Ham aims to strengthen their attacking options under new head coach Julen Lopetegui.

Standard Sport reports that West Ham is working to reach an agreement with Villa, although there is still a gap between the two clubs’ valuations of Duran.

Villa is firm on their £40 million asking price for the 20-year-old, a price that has remained consistent throughout the summer. In contrast, West Ham is hesitant to meet this figure and is seeking a compromise.

On Thursday evening, multiple sources reported that West Ham had proposed a £30 million offer for Duran, plus teenage midfielder Lewis Orford, who is in the final year of his contract with the Hammers, as part of the deal. The Athletic added that West Ham has already agreed on personal terms with Duran for a five-year contract.

Duran is currently on holiday after Colombia’s run to the final of the recent Copa America tournament in the USA, where they were defeated by Argentina.

Duran has netted eight goals in 49 appearances across all competitions for Champions League-bound Villa since his transfer from Major League Soccer (MLS) side Chicago Fire in an £18 million deal in January 2023.

However, he has only made three Premier League starts, primarily due to being behind England’s Ollie Watkins in Villa’s striking hierarchy under Unai Emery.

Chelsea also showed interest in Duran both in January and at the start of the summer but deemed Villa’s asking price too high.

West Ham has turned their attention to bolstering their attack after securing the £40 million signing of center-back Max Kilman from Wolves. They have also added Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham to their ranks.

Departures from West Ham include Flynn Downes, Said Benrahma, Thilo Kehrer, Ben Johnson, Angelo Ogbonna, Divin Mubama, Nathan Trott, Joseph Anang, and loanee Kalvin Phillips.

Reports suggest West Ham is close to signing Moroccan right-back Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich for an initial £13.47 million, a player also linked with Manchester United.

Aston Villa recently sold Moussa Diaby to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad and have been very active in the transfer market in preparation for their first season in Europe’s top competition since 1982-83, following a fourth-place finish last season.

Significant signings include midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton for £50 million, while Ross Barkley and Jaden Philogene have returned.

Villa has also signed Ian Maatsen, Samuel Iling-Junior, Enzo Barrenechea, Cameron Archer, and Lewis Dobbin.

Departures from Villa Park include Douglas Luiz, Philippe Coutinho, Morgan Sanson, Tim Iroegbunam, Viljami Sinisalo, and Calum Chambers, along with loanees Nicolo Zaniolo and Clement Lenglet.