The January transfer window is fast approaching and Aston Villa will be desperate to keep hold of their best players amid their superb start to 2024/25.
Aston Villa are once again in top form in the early stages of 2024/25, with Unai Emery yet again proving why he is among the best managers in Europe.
Villa beat Bologna 2-0 in the Champions League earlier this week and are now one of just three sides in history to win their opening three games in the competition.
The Midlands outfit are also sitting fourth in the Premier League table going into their next fixture against Bournemouth on Saturday.
While some ‘smaller’ clubs often struggle in the league once they are competing in Europe regularly, Emery’s Villa are thriving and are on course for another superb season that could see them go deep into the Champions League and finish in the Premier League top-four yet again.
As a result, they will be desperate to keep hold of all their top talent in the upcoming transfer windows.
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West Ham United want Aston Villa star Jhon Duran
However, in-form striker Jhon Duran is now garnering fresh transfer interest from one of Aston Villa’s Premier League rivals.
West Ham United had a bid rejected for Duran during the 2024 summer transfer with Chelsea also linked with a late move for the forward.
Now, it appears the former of that duo remain eager to pry Duran away from Villa Park in the future, according to journalist Ben Jacobs writing for Give Me Sport.
It is claimed that despite the addition of Niclas Fullkrug at the London Stadium, the Hammers remain in the market for another striker and Durhan is currently their top transfer target.
In a small boost for the Aston Villa faithful, it is believed West Ham are aware a January move will be highly unlikely due to Emery and co. going strong in Europe this term.
Jhon Duran could be open to leaving Aston Villa for West Ham
The striker has had a sensational 2024/25 so far with Duran named alongside Vinicius Junior in the Champions League Team of the Week after his showing against Bologna.
Duran was dubbed ‘special’ previously and it is hard to see Villa wanting to part ways with the forward after he has already found the net seven times in 12 matches across all competitions this term.
However, the player himself could be open to leaving the Midlands at some point in the near future in order to play on a more regular basis.
Ollie Watkins remains Emery’s primary number nine and as Villa operate in a 4-2-3-1 under the Spaniard, he will struggle to offer Durna enough starts.
We have seen this in the Premier League so far this season, with a 29-minute outing against Leicester City his longest stint on the pitch to date.
As a result, he could opt to leave Aston Villa and join West Ham, where there is much less competition for a starting role up front.
