Jhon Duran is in hot water after making a West Ham gesture on an Instagram live stream amid transfer interest from the Hammers.
The Aston Villa striker, 20, has been heavily linked with a move away this summer, firstly with Chelsea and, more recently, with West Ham after impressing during his first full season at Villa Park.
Duran, a Colombia international, participated in a live stream on his Instagram account on Friday where he briefly crossed his arms in a similar manner to West Ham's 'Irons' gesture.
According to a new report from Birmingham Live, the striker's conduct is set to be investigated by club chiefs after fans expressed their anger on social media.
It's likely Duran will face disciplinary action pending the outcome of the investigation, with the gesture deemed to be disrespectful to the club and its fanbase.
While West Ham and Aston Villa have held talks over a potential transfer, the clubs are yet to reach an agreement for Duran, who is understood to have already agreed personal terms on a five-year deal after seeing a move to Chelsea collapse earlier this summer.
Villa head coach Unai Emery lauded Duran towards the end of last season but refused to rule out the possibility of cashing in on the striker in the transfer window.
Speaking in a press conference, Emery said: "I believe in Jhon Duran. When we signed him, his process is being how we can make a plan. He is 20 years old and he was 19 years old when he arrived here. He’s progressively getting better. He’s adapting. Even this year.
"He started with an injury. He started playing in August or September, he didn’t have a pre-season. He was getting better and now he is in his best moment now. His adaptation wasn’t easy. Last year or this year.
"Now I think he’s showing his capacity as well, particularly in the last match [Liverpool]. He’s here because we wanted him and we want to keep him as well. We are thinking he can improve us, stay here and grow up with us. But, of course, always we have to be ready in case there’s something we have to do in the transfer window with every player - even him - but at the moment, I’m happy with him."
