Andy Gray blows hot on transfer news about Ivan Toney that could’ve changed due to West Ham
Andy Gray has suggested that Jhon Duran’s failed move to West Ham United may have prevented Aston Villa from signing Brentford’s Ivan Toney.
West Ham and Villa are two of a number of clubs to have been linked with Toney at various points in recent months, although he remains a Brentford player for now.
The Hammers were also eager to bring in Duran and supposedly had two bids knocked back by Villa, before ultimately moving on and signing Niclas Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund.
Speaking on beIN SPORTS, as shared via X [18 August], Gray implied that West Ham missing out on Duran could have had a knock-on effect on Villa’s own transfer activity.
“I heard a couple of rumours recently when I was back in the UK that Villa and [Unai] Emery were seriously thinking about enquiring about him – let’s just say that,” Gray said.
“I’m not sure where Villa sit with FFP – they sold Douglas Luiz for a lot and spent a lot. I don’t know if Jhon Duran’s proposed transfer to West Ham not happening has now softened that a little, but there was definitely talk that Villa would be interested in Toney.”
Jhon Duran comes back to haunt West Ham United
Duran netted the winner for Villa in Saturday’s (17 August) Premier League clash at the London Stadium, of course, so West Ham fans need no reminding of his ability.
When it looked like a move was certain to go through a couple of weeks ago, coinciding with Duran doing the ‘Hammers’ symbol on Instagram, United fans were very excited.
The price tag proved too much, though, and you cannot blame the club for moving on. Indeed, there is hope that Fullkrug could prove to be a better option over time.
For now, Duran remains at Villa Park, although Emery has himself admitted he is unsure if that will remain the case come the end of the summer transfer window.
If the Colombian does move on in the next two weeks, however, it will not be to East London. That ship has very much sailed – for better or worse.