Poker-faced Aston Villa show their tell in big hint Jhon Duran to West Ham is on

West Ham have been in protracted negotiations with Premier League rivals Aston Villa for Jhon Duran and now there’s been another big twist.

In fact West Ham’s push to try and sign Aston Villa’s wantaway forward Jhon Duran has become more like a poker game.

There have been bluffs, calls and big blinds on both sides but thus far West Ham have refused to go all in to match Aston Villa’s valuation.

Hopes were raised at the London Stadium when Duran did a crossed Hammers gesture on social media last week.

That irked Aston Villa, who were reportedly considering disciplining the 20-year-old Colombian as a result.

But it only seemed to make Villa more stubborn.

And as a result West Ham switched their attentions to Dortmund’s Niclas Fullkrug.

Bluffs and calls but West Ham won’t go all-in for Villa star

That raised eyebrows given Fullkrug, who turns 32 next season, is a very different profile of player to Duran.

Many feel the contrast was so big that it must be a bluff from West Ham in a bid to force Aston Villa’s hand over Duran.

The young striker is frustrated at a lack of game time behind Ollie Watkins since joining from Chicago Fire in January 2023.

At West Ham he would be first choice. So it is easy to see the appeal.

News emerged this week that Villa have made approaches for Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta and Hoffenheim forward Maximilian Beier to replace Duran.

That suggested Unai Emery is planning for life without the West Ham target.

Poker-faced Villa show their tell to West Ham over Duran

And after the Hammers made progress on the move for Fullkrug, there has been a significant development.

Poker-faced Aston Villa have showed their tell in a big hint that Duran to West Ham is on.

Because it is being widely reported that Villa have now agreed terms with Chelsea to sign striker Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku had been expected to join Napoli.

But news from Italy, now being reported by the likes of Give Me Sport and Goal, claims Aston Villa have reached ‘total agreement’ over a deal for the Blues outcast.

Word is that Lukaku will reject the move as he wants to wait for Napoli.

Lukaku bid exposes Villa’s hand to Hammers

But whatever happens, Villa have now showed their hand to West Ham.

They clearly plan on selling the unhappy star. Why else would they make a move for Lukaku or the other two forwards being linked?

If the Hammers have prompted that tell with their move for Fullkrug, it could be another Tim Steidten masterclass.

Interestingly West Ham confirmed to Hammers News they’re still trying for Duran.

And reports that Fullkrug was flying over to London yesterday proved a false dawn.

Perhaps that information was leaked very deliberately to smoke Villa out over Duran?

It seems this particular transfer saga may still have further twists and turns to come.