Jhon Duran opens up about West Ham transfer rumors

Jhon Duran's Aston Villa future has been the subject of transfer rumors throughout the summer transfer window. The 20-year-old center forward was constantly linked with an exit from Aston Villa in order to get more playing time in the Premier League, and West Ham submitted multiple transfer offers to Unai Emery's side to secure Duran's signature. 

Despite agreeing personal terms with the Hammers, Duran stayed at Aston Villa as an agreement over the transfer fee couldn't be reached between the two clubs. Since then, Julen Lopetegui's side has signed Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug, and on the other hand, Duran has started the new season on a high note for Unai Emery's side. 

Jhon Duran opens up about West Ham transfer rumors

On top of that, Fullkrug's absence due to injury and Duran's prolific goalscoring form across the Premier League and the Champions League has led West Ham fans to wonder whether the Hammers made a transfer mistake by not signing Duran in the transfer window. Recently, Duran talked about his impressive eight goals at the beginning of the season and also opened up about the West Ham transfer rumors, saying, 

"Yes, there was a possibility of leaving in the summer; I think there were rumors."

- John Duran

Despite enjoying a brilliant start to the ongoing season at Aston Villa, Duran has mostly played as a substitute after first-choice striker Ollie Watkins. Hence, the 20-year-old could be open to leaving Aston Villa in the upcoming transfer windows and hasn't ruled out joining another Premier League club as well.

West Ham still have their shortcomings in the attack and could again make a move to sign a proven goalscoring striker such as Jhon Duran from Aston Villa in the January transfer window. However, that seems highly unlikely now as Aston Villa may demand upwards of £70 million in transfer fees for the Colombian international due to his encouraging form in the previous few matches, and Duran may prefer to sign for top Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea instead in order to regularly play European football. 

West Ham are also considering signing other strikers such as Yuri Alberto to bolster their front three, and it remains to be seen whether the 23-year-old Brazil international joins the Hammers in the next few seasons.