NSWE play Aston Villa hardball in transfer market amid Jhon Duran exit update
Aston Villa owners NSWE have proven they are playing hard in terms of incomings and outgoings this summer after holding firm on their valuation of West Ham-linked Jhon Duran, Dan Plumley has said.
The Colombia international has been on the Hammers radar throughout the summer but Villa have been steadfast in their £40million valuation of the 20-year-old.
West Ham have now signed Borussia Dortmund and Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug in a £27m deal (BBC Sport) and former 6 foot 2 editor Sean Whetstone suggested on X it is unlikely they will now pursue Duran as multiple strikers would have to be sold first.
Finance expert Plumley – speaking exclusively to Villa News – thinks the owners have shown throughout the summer that they clearly have the club’s best interests at heart with the way they have conducted business.
Asked if the Duran deal shows they’re tough negotiators, he said: “Yeah absolutely, again we’ve seen these kind of plays from the owners.
“We know they’re willing to invest, they’re also playing pretty hard in the transfer market both ways as well.
“The caveat to that is you’ve always got to look at the position of the football club within that and of course Villa going into the Champions League on the back of a phenomenal season gives them that bit of leverage to be a bit harder in those negotiations because there’s no absolute need to sell.
“So, you do always need to context that with the current situation of the club and competition they’re in and where they are in that competition.
“It shows again from an ownership point of view they’re prepared to back the club but also prepared to go into bat the other way and look to have the club’s best interests at heart as well.”
NSWE won’t be bullied in Aston Villa negotiations
You have to applaud NSWE for their stance on Duran during talks with West Ham.
They set a price, the Hammers failed to get to that price, and the owners simply said “no, thank you”.
Now sure, that stance might cost them a sale but it’s not an essential sale and ultimately if Duran stays it means there is decent back-up to Ollie Watkins in a Champions League season.
It has also sent a clear message to other teams in the future. If you want to do business with Aston Villa, it will be on the club’s terms.
In other Aston Villa news, the club may have been caught cold on another deal.