West Ham United have already brought in two new strikers during the January transfer window. Taty Castellanos has arrived from Lazio, while Pablo Felipe made the move from Portuguese outfit Gil Vicente.
But it appears Nuno Espírito Santo is not done reinforcing his attacking options just yet.
Although the club are still exploring ways to generate funds this month, there is a willingness from the board to support Nuno in the transfer market. With Premier League survival now a real concern, West Ham know more proven quality is needed at the London Stadium as a matter of urgency.
One player now being linked with a surprise return to east London could genuinely transform the Hammers with his blistering pace and deadly finishing — and it’s a name supporters will remember all too well.
Jhon Durán is a familiar figure to West Ham fans, with the club pushing hard to sign him from Aston Villa just 18 months ago. Despite their efforts, a deal never materialised, and the Hammers ultimately turned to Niclas Füllkrug instead.
According to Turkish outlet A Spor, West Ham are once again considering a move for the Colombian striker this month. However, any deal would be complicated by the fact that Durán is currently on a season-long loan at Fenerbahçe. That said, the Turkish side do not hold an option to buy, which could leave the door open for negotiations.
While West Ham are relatively well covered in the centre-forward department, strengthening the defence — particularly at centre-back — may be a more pressing priority for Nuno. Still, passing up a player of Durán’s calibre would not be easy if the opportunity arises.
The Hammers pursued Durán relentlessly during the summer window 18 months ago and even reached an agreement on personal terms. The move collapsed, however, after West Ham failed to meet Aston Villa’s valuation.
Desperate to push through a transfer, Durán famously posted a video flashing the crossed-hammers gesture, an act that reportedly angered Villa officials and was investigated by the club, according to The Athletic. That only strengthened their resolve to block a move to West Ham.
Durán eventually sealed a £64 million switch to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, but his time there was brief. He joined Fenerbahçe on loan in the summer of 2025 and could now be heading for another swift exit.
Whether West Ham are genuinely in the running to land Durán this January remains highly questionable — and at this stage, it feels like a long shot.
