Having already announced deals for the likes of Max Kilman and Luis Guilherme, West Ham United are close to welcoming their fourth summer signing.
Julen Lopetegui wants West Ham to sign up to eight players this summer, immediately putting Tim Steidten to work in east London.
Lopetegui quickly deemed the squad he inherited from David Moyes to be both too small and lacking in quality to match his ambitions.
And as is often the case, the Spaniard immediately recognised that one of his former players, Kilman, could immediately help to install his new ideas.
That being said, there seems to be real optimism about what Lopetegui can achieve in east London this season.
But unless West Ham recruit a new striker, it feels as if this new era will be hamstrung – a glaring weakness in the squad.
34-year-old Michail Antonio is still an effective option but can’t play a 38 game season, and Danny Ings has perhaps already provided enough evidence to prove it’s time to move on.
That being said, it seems as if the Hammers have now made a breakthrough with Jhon Duran.
Documents are nearly finalised for Jhon Duran to become a West Ham player
West Ham have been locked in negotiations with Aston Villa for Duran, hoping to agree a fee for the 20-year-old Colombian.
Duran has already shown his strong credentials at Villa Park, but isn’t getting the chances he believes he deserves because of Ollie Watkins’ role as starting striker.
That being said, journalist Pipe Sierra has now shared that Duran is ‘close’ to becoming a new West Ham player for a figure close to £35m.
The journalist said there’s now a verbal agreement between the clubs and documents should be finalised in quick fashion.
Sierra shared: “Jhon Jader Duran (20) is close to becoming a new player for West Ham. There is already a verbal agreement with Aston Villa for a figure close to £35m.
“It is expected that in the near future the documentation for the signing of the Colombian striker will be finalised.”
Of course, with ‘dangerous’ Duran on board West Ham would be a different proposition next season.
This project deserves a new front man and Duran clearly has some exciting years ahead, a physical presence who is also a brilliant ball-striker.
West Ham attacker Jarrod Bowen would be an ideal target in terms of his fitness for any top club, amid links to Tottenham, according to Dr Rajpal Brar.
The injury expert claims that it’s down to the 27-year-old being committed to all parts of health that has helped him be a regular presence in the West Ham front line.
This comes after HITC reported on 25 June that Spurs have made an approach for the England international with the Hammers asking for a £150million fee.
Discussing the state of play with Bowen exclusively with Tottenham News, Dr Brar, a doctor in physical therapy and a sports scientist, said: “He’s got a near perfect fitness record.
“I’d reckon he’s extremely committed to all parts of his health – from his strength and conditioning to his nutrition to his sleep to recovery to stress mitigation.
It’s all about cumulative and consistent effects that become exponential over time.
Every top club looking to sign someone in that role would certainly be impressed with his fitness.“
Bowen would be a fantastic signing for Spurs and would undoubtedly thrive under Ange Postecoglou.
He’s a proven Premier League performer with pace, skill and an eye for goal.
The England international’s versatility allows him to play across the front line, giving Spurs tactical flexibility.
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