Fabrizio Romano delivers massive update on West Ham's preferred transfer target

While West Ham completed a brilliant summer transfer window with massive additions to their defence and midfield, their performances in the new Premier League season haven't been convincing. Further, they have been eliminated from the Carabao Cup as well with Liverpool scoring five goals against Julen Lopetegui's side in a 5-1 win in the third round. 

Thus, despite the fact that they have made nine new signings ahead of the new season, the Hammers are yet to display their expected on-field results with the highly talented and quality squad that they have assembled. A big reason for this has been the fact that West Ham have been struggling to score more goals in the attack, which is one of their strengths having the likes of star forwards, Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta alongside new signings Cryscencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug. 

Fabrizio Romano delivers massive update on West Ham's preferred transfer target

Among them, Kudus, Summerville and Paqueta have been decent and Bowen has been West Ham's best forward this season, while Fullkrug is sidelined with his injury. Therefore, this poses the question, should West Ham have decided to bring in a young striker such as John Duran, who has been in an impressive form in this season by scoring five goals in seven matches for Aston Villa. 

The Hammers were said to be unwilling to meet Aston Villa's £40 million transfer fee demand, and recently, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has delivered a massive update on Duran's transfer situation in the summer transfer window. Fabrizio Romano reported that the Hammers submitted several bids for the 20-year-old and even went up to offer £43 million plus significant add-ons as part of the transfer, which was rejected by the Premier League side. 

Thus, it suggests that Aston Villa valued him much further at around £50 million and now with his prolific goal scoring form, they will have no shortage of potential suitors for Duran in the coming years. Moreover, Duran has gone strength to strength at Aston Villa and is now attracting transfer interest from top European teams including Chelsea and Barcelona. For West Ham, they would want that Fullkrug returns quickly from his injury and scores a lot of goals for Julen Lopetegui's side, who are struggling in both attack as well as defence in the recent matches.