Aston Villa Turn Down West Ham’s Second Bid For Jhon Duran

21 Jan 2025 ScoreWaves Staff view

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Aston Villa's 21-year-old sensation, Jhon Duran, has become a fan favorite this season with his clinical finishing and, more importantly, his knack for delivering in clutch moments. Unsurprisingly, his impressive displays have put him on the radar of several clubs, including Premier League rivals West Ham. However, recent reports indicate that Villa have stood firm, rejecting a second bid from the Hammers as they look to hold onto their rising star.

According to reports, West Ham had submitted an offer in the region of £57 million. However, Villa have rejected that offer straight away, as they value Duran in the range of £100 million. As per The Guardian's’ Ben Fischer, “Villa are thought to be livid at the timing of the offer from West Ham, who are not expected to return with another bid after Villa made their position clear on Durán.” This was West Ham's second attempt to lure Duran away, following a £30 million bid in July 2024. Adding to the complexity of the situation, Duran recently committed his future to Villa by signing a contract extension that keeps him at the club until 2030.

Aston Villa brought Jhon Duran to the Premier League from Chicago Fire in January 2023 for a modest fee of £18 million. At the time, many Villa fans viewed him as a long-term prospect who might need a few years to make an impact. Fast forward to now, and the 21-year-old Colombian striker has shattered those expectations with his meteoric rise. This season, Duran has been nothing short of a revelation. With 12 goals in 27 appearances, he’s making a strong case for the starting striker role, even giving Ollie Watkins serious competition. Despite not always being a regular starter, Duran’s rapid development has been impossible to ignore, and Villa’s hierarchy holds him in high regard.

President of football operations Monchi spoke glowingly about Duran back in September, saying, “If there is a club that really thinks Duran can become one of the top strikers in the world, then that one club is Aston Villa and that one manager is Unai Emery.” Monchi also highlighted Duran’s growing reputation, adding, “There are no fewer than 40 clubs who want Duran — everyone wants him.”

With their bid for Jhon Duran swiftly rejected by Aston Villa, West Ham will undoubtedly have to pivot to a backup plan. The Hammers are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements, especially after suffering long-term injury blows to key players Jarrod Bowen (foot), Niklas Füllkrug (hamstring), and Michail Antonio. Manager Graham Potter was reportedly a big fan of Duran, but with the clock ticking and less than two weeks left in the transfer window, West Ham must act fast to secure an alternative. Finding a reliable attacking option to fill the void has become an urgent priority for the Hammers as they aim to stay competitive in the second half of the season.

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