There has been a major West Ham breakthrough in talks with Aston Villa over a deal and the club also has new Jean-Clair Todibo hope.
West Ham have been both trying to sign a player from and competing with Aston Villa in the transfer window so far.
The Hammers have confirmed that a striker is the key focus right now.
But the top source inside the club told Hammers News West Ham will not pay Aston Villa’s £35m asking price for Jhon Duran.
West Ham revealed Villa’s frustrated 20-year-old Colombian star Duran is ‘one of many’ forwards technical director Tim Steidten and head coach Julen Lopetegui are looking at.
The Hammers also want to sign another centre-back to partner Max Kilman. Both they and Aston Villa have been heavily linked with Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo.
West Ham baulked at Villa asking price for Duran
Todibo, 24, has been targeted by the Irons and Villa since a move to Man United was blocked by UEFA due to strict multi-club ownership rules given the involvement of INEOS at Man United and Nice.
A host of other strikers have been linked with West Ham after Hammers News revealed they won’t meet Villa’s lofty valuation for such a young, unproven player.
It looked like West Ham had beaten Aston Villa to Todibo yesterday when it was claimed by several top sources that a deal had been agreed on a loan with an obligation to buy.
But the French centre-half made it clear he only wants to join Juventus – with Nice waiting for them to match West Ham’s offer.
It seems there have been some big developments overnight, though, regarding both players.
It is claimed there has been a major West Ham breakthrough in talks with Aston Villa and the Hammers also have new Todibo hope.
According to transfer reporter Graeme Bailey, Duran and Villa have come to an agreement to help sell him with West Ham still ‘very interested’.
Bailey claims Villa are now willing to negotiate a lower fee with significant add-ons.