'Well interested' - West Ham named in Aston Villa insider's £35m transfer hint

West Ham had tried to sign Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran this summer but saw a £32 million bid rejected.

Premier League transfer interest focused in on wantaway Brentford striker Ivan Toney this weekend as the England international was excluded from the Bees' matchday squad to take on Crystal Palace.

Aston Villa had looked at a move for Toney this summer, according to Andy Gray. | Getty Images

placeholder image — Aston Villa had looked at a move for Toney this summer, according to Andy Gray. | Getty Images

The West London outfit emerged triumphant against Oliver Glasner's men in a 2-1 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium. Forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa found themselves on the scoresheet but it was nonetheless Toney who made the headlines.

Thomas Frank explained that the 28-year-old had not been included amid an impending transfer away from the club. Toney had previously been linked with a £100 million exit to a Premier League rival, with Arsenal and Manchester United supposedly interested, but in recent weeks that fee has plummeted with just 12 months left on the player's current Brentford deal.

The Brentford boss admitted that an exit was 'not close' but said: "A lot of things are going on with Ivan, especially with transfers, there's a lot of transfer interest. Because of all that, we've decided not to include him in the squad."

The BBC reports that Brentford turned down a £35 million bid from Saudi outfit Al-Ahli last week as it appears a move to the Middle East could be in the offing for Toney. However, news of his exclusion from the Bees' squad could reignite Premier League interest, especially if a fee is now nearer the £40 million mark rather than a nine-figure sum.

Aston Villa could regret failing to cash in on Duran should Toney interest remain. | AFP via Getty Images

Speaking on beIN SPORTS, West Ham legend Andy Gray said: "I heard a couple of rumours when I was back in the UK that Villa and Emery were seriously thinking about enquiring about him, let's just say that. I'm not sure quite where Villa sit with Financial Fair Play, I know they sold Douglas Luiz for a lot of money but they brought a few in and spent a lot.

"I don't know whether Jhon Duran's proposed transfer to West Ham not happening has maybe softened it a bit but there was definitely talk that Aston Villa could be well interested in Ivan Toney."

West Ham had been interested in Duran, who scored the winner for Aston Villa at the London Stadium on Saturday, but saw a £32 million bid rejected by the Midlands outfit. Aston Villa are believed to be holding out for £40 million but there has not been news of the Hammers preparing to cough up that amount for the 20-year-old.