West Ham came close to sensational '£40m' signing

West Ham will regret not sealing the deal to sign Jhon Duran from Aston Villa in the summer after his remarkable start to the season.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Hammers striker Frank McAvennie admits he’s impressed by the 20-year-old’s start to the season and laments the club’s decision to sign ‘sick note’ Niclas Fullkrug, 31, instead.

The club were in discussions with Aston Villa over a potential deal, but the East Londoners withdrew after concerns emerged regarding the £40milion fee.

Since joining from MLS side back in January 2023, Duran has averaged a goal every 82.78 minutes in the Premier League, surpassing Erling Haaland’s minutes-per-goal ratio of 85 minutes.

West Ham seriously missed out on Jhon Duran

Instead, West Ham opted to sign big German forward Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund for £27million but he has spent more time in the physio’s office than on the pitch.

He isn’t expected to return until the end of October after picking up an Achilles injury while on international duty.

“There is no chance now”, McAvennie told Football Insider.

“But I’m disappointed we never went for Ivan Toney.

“Toney for me was for me was the epitome of West Ham, can play up front on his own, can run, he’s strong and he can bring other players into the game and I thought that’s what West Ham are, that’s what they need.

“Duran, we never got him, We’re not going to get him now because every time he comes on, he scores a goal.

“Scored a goal against West Ham afterward when he didn’t sign, he’s a good player, mean, but Watkins is in and he’s got the place at the moment, Watkins got to look over his shoulder because this boy, once he’s in, I think he’ll take his spot.

“And then Ollie Watkins will need to fight to get back in.

“So I’m disappointed West Ham didn’t get him, we got a striker, and typical West Ham we got a striker and he’s another sick note, he’s injured again, that’s a shame.

“Hopefully he comes back sooner or later and he gets fit and he can get a good run on the team, and then we can see how good he is.

“There is no chance now, he’s been lauded at so many places, he just gets his dead down, comes on, there’s no fuss and he scores goals.

“He’s only a young boy, he knows he’s got plenty of time and I think he might be wanting to work with this manager.”

In other news, West Ham idol ‘apologises’ to players after savaging them.

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The post West Ham came close to sensational '£40m' signing appeared first on Football Insider.