West Ham wanted to sign Jhon Duran as their new striker in the summer transfer window, but couldn't meet Aston Villa's £40 million demand for the 20-year-old star. Although the Hammers signed Niclas Fullkrug to bolster their centre forward position, the 31-year-old Germany international has missed the previous six Premier League games for West Ham due to his achilles injury.
On the other hand, Duran has gone strength to strength under manager Unai Emery this season, and has already found the back of the net seven times across all competitions. Hence, Julen Lopetegui's side are considering signing other forwards such as Omar Marmoush, Hugo Ekitike and Bryan Mbeumo in the upcoming transfer windows to assemble a world-class front three.
West Ham involved in talks to sign Jhon Duran's teammate in January
Alongside them, West Ham are reported to be keen on securing the services of Jhon Duran's international teammate Jhon Arias as well. The 27-year-old Colombia international plays for defending Copa Libertadores Champions Fluminense and has scored 13 goals alongside providing 8 assists in the ongoing season.
Arias is a versatile right-sided forward who can play as a right-winger as well as a creative playmaker behind the striker. The 27-year-old possesses impressive playmaking ability and his athleticism and physicality helps him to play across various positions in the attack.
If West Ham sign Arias, manager Julen Lopetegui will have more tactical flexibility to choose his front three where he can play Arias as a creative playmaker alongside Lucas Paqueta and can even start him alongside Jarrod Bowen as a striker. Further, Arias's prolific goalscoring form has attracted the transfer interest from various Premier League clubs including West Ham, who are reported to be involved in transfer talks with Fluminense to sign Arias in January.
According to the report, Fluminense want around £11 million transfer fee to part ways with Arias and now it remains to be seen whether the Hammers will sign Arias in January if Cryscencio Summerville continues his brilliant form in the upcoming league fixtures.