Nachrichten

I am acutely aware that it’s not the done thing to pour cold water over transfer rumours, particularly when it appears West Ham are close to signing a player.

However, I think it’s only right to call into question the £40m transfer fee being demanded by Aston Villa for Jhon Duran. In this instance, I do believe that West Ham are absolutely correct in sticking to their valuation of the player and not paying over the odds for what is a talented young footballer with potential.

Because make no mistake about it, Duran is nowhere near the finished article. That’s not to say that he’s a bad player; on the contrary. There are certainly similarities in his playing style to Michail Antonio, and with all due respect to Mikey, Duran probably has a bit better technique. In fact, while we’re making West Ham player comparisons, I’d also throw a bit of Paulo Wanchope into the mix.

The Colombian striker also has an absolute thunderbolt of a shot and excellent athleticism. Nonetheless, West Ham would still be purchasing a raw player who requires an awful lot of development.

Therefore, I believe it’s incredibly important that the Hammers don’t pay over the odds for a player who has only scored five goals for Aston Villa. There are strikers available right now who are the finished article and don’t cost as much as the Midlands club is demanding for Duran.

It’s difficult to put a price on potential, which is exactly why any potential transfer deal must be structured in a way that rewards Villa if the player reaches his peak. But it’s also important for West Ham to negotiate a favourable transaction to protect themselves against overpaying for a player who may not fulfill his undoubted potential.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be delighted if West Ham can conclude the deal for a striker, and preferably the sooner, the better. And if the chosen one turns out to be Jhon Duran, then I’m all for it.

Sometimes I can become as frustrated as anyone when West Ham appears to take an eternity to conclude a transfer negotiation. However, in this instance, I do believe the club is wise to take their time and get the best deal possible.