In a recent report, journalist Mark Brus mentioned that West Ham United are in the race to recruit Valencia striker Hugo Duro. It has been stated that the Hammers would have to rival Aston Villa in pursuit of the Spanish talent.
Duro’s Impressive Form In Spanish Football
Duro has put in a couple of impressive displays for the Spanish club in the final third. The 24-year-old has banged in two goals in six matches for Valencia this season in all competitions.
The 24-year-old has caught the eye at times in front of the opposition goal based on his average of 2.0 shots and 0.8 key passes per 90 minutes in La Liga. However, he lacked quality when distributing the ball in the final third, as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 73% in the Spanish top tier (stats via whoscored).
His current contract at the Spanish club will run out in the summer of 2028 which could make it tough for the Hammers to sign him on a cut-price deal next year.
Is Duro A Good Fit For West Ham United Boss Julen Lopetegui?
Duro is proficient at finding a yard of space for himself to get some strikes in at goal. He has got the vision to engineer a few decent chances for his teammates up top when he is playing with confidence on the pitch.
The Spanish sensation is primarily a centre-forward but can also operate as a winger on either flank if needed. However, only time will tell whether he can cope with the physical side and high intensity of Premier League football.
At 24, Duro has his peak years ahead of him which makes him a decent fit for West Ham‘s needs next year. He would inject more firepower into Julen Lopetegui’s attack. Thus, it makes sense for the Hammers to move in for him this January or at the end of this season. However, Lopetegui has to be patient with his progress before he can unlock the best out of the talented forward at the East London club.
Duro would undeniably help West Ham compete across all fronts in the future. Therefore, Lopetegui should focus on bringing him to the London Stadium next year.
