Aston Villa have reportedly received a £57m proposal from a Premier League club for Jhon Duran.
During the summer transfer window, the Colombia international was the subject of interest from both Chelsea and West Ham United.
However, since Villa turned down offers from both of the London clubs, Duran has progressed into one of the top prospects in world football.
As many as 12 goals have been scored in seven starts and 20 substitute outings in all competitions, including seven strikes in just 603 minutes of Premier League football.
The 20-year-old has also committed his long-term future to the West Midlands outfit by penning a new contract, yet that has not stopped one of his previous suitors wanting to sign him in a big-money January deal.
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Who has returned for Duran?
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, West Ham are willing to pay £57m to strengthen their forward line with the acquisition of Duran.
Nevertheless, the proposal, which is said to include add-ons, is expected to be rejected by Villa who have no intention of parting ways with the player.
That is despite Unai Emery seeing several changes to his first-team squad at Villa Park as the club partly look to boost their positions with the relevant financial regulations.
Defender Diego Carlos could soon follow Jaden Philogene out of the exit door, with Donyell Malen having already arrived from Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla's Loic Bade being targeted as Carlos's replacement.
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Why are West Ham willing to spend big on Duran?
Although the arrival of a new head coach in Graham Potter was always likely to bring about change at the London Stadium, a new striker was required regardless.
Michail Antonio is sidelined in the long term due to the injuries sustained in a recent car accident, while Niclas Fullkrug is facing up to three months on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.
As it stands, Danny Ings is the solitary senior striker on their books, yet sales will be required if West Ham are to spend the amount of money that they are allegedly prepared to pay for Duran.
Despite indicating on social media in the summer that he was open to a transfer to West Ham, Duran's stance has since changed and he is unlikely to push for a January exit.
Darren Plant
