West Ham United have been handed a massive blow in their hopes of signing Jhon Duran after Aston Villa emphatically rejected a second bid for the Colombian striker.
According to The Guardian, the Hammers had tabled a club-record offer worth £57 million for the 21-year-old, but Villa made it clear the player is not for sale.
Initial reports claimed Villa valued Duran at around £70m, but the Birmingham-based club are holding out for at least £100m for their prized asset.
Duran signed a contract extension with Villa last October, committing his future to the club until 2030 and has been a standout performer this season.
The talented striker has netted 12 times in 27 appearances across all competitions despite struggling to topple Ollie Watkins in the pecking order.
Duran’s form has understandably attracted interest from clubs across Europe, including Paris Saint-Germain, although no formal bids have been made by the French giants.
The timing of West Ham’s approach has reportedly irked Villa.
Unai Emery’s squad are in Monaco preparing for a crucial Champions League league-phase showdown, and Villa sees West Ham’s bid for Duran as an unwelcome distraction.
West Ham need to move on from Duran
West Ham’s interest in Duran dates back to last summer when Villa valued the Colombian striker at just £40m.
The Hammers were seriously interested in Duran but struggled to match Villa’s valuation, and the striker has since proven himself to be a valuable asset to the club’s lofty ambitions.
Duran’s form this season has seen his value skyrocket, so it’s unsurprising that West Ham’s bid wasn’t enough to tempt the Villans.
The East Londoners are unlikely to submit a third bid for Duran, and they shouldn’t. That ship has sailed, and they need to move on from the Colombian striker.
West Ham have been linked with a number of attacking options this January. Only a handful move the needle, but they need to get someone in to help push the club higher up the table.