West Ham have had a £27million bid for Uruguay's Maxi Gomez turned down as manager Manuel Pellegrini steps up his search for another striker.
The 21-year-old's club, Celta Vigo, are holding out for £35m after his return of 18 goals in 36 games last season, according to reports in Spain.
Pellegrini is keen to add a more physical presence to his front line – particularly with the prolonged injury absence of Andy Carroll – and the 6ft 1ins Gomez would fit the bill.
West Ham are still pursuing the option of signing Porto’s £35m-rated Mali international striker Moussa Marega, 27, but would favour a part-exchange deal with midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate.
In Pictures | West Ham vs Mainz 05 | 31/07/2018
Pellegrini, who would also like to sign a defensive midfielder, said: “It depends which players will not continue in the club and also on the options we have to replace them, so the sporting director (Mario Husillos) and myself have to work very hard to be absolutely sure that we have the squad that we need.”
West Ham lifted the Betway Cup in Austria on Tuesday when they beat Mainz 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
