West Ham are making a £12m bid to sign Argentinian striker Lucas Pratto from Brazilian club Atletico Miniero, The Sun say.
Hammers are said to have sounded Pratto, 28, out about a move to east London and he apparently has a release clause in his contract.
He previously played for Genoa and reportedly has an Italian passport, which means he can play in England.
West Ham have been linked with a host of strikers – and Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are the latest The Telegraph say the club are interested in ahead of the January transfer window.
The newspaper has linked West Ham with a number of forwards in recent weeks, including Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge.
Now The Telegraph say the Hammers will make an enquiry to see if they can take either Rashford or Martial on loan from Manchester United.
With Chelsea said to be reluctant to part with Michy Batshuayi, who is apparently West Ham’s “top loan target”, it is now suggested that the United duo are under consideration for a possible move to east London.
But The Telegraph say too that United are also likely to be reluctant to agree to a loan deal.
West Ham want to sign proven Premier League players in the new year and they have targeted Chelsea, United and Liverpool players, The Telegraph say.
Furthermore, The Telegraph claim West Ham “are becoming increasingly resigned” to losing Dimitri Payet in the summer if they manage to hold on to him during the January window.
A number of clubs have been linked with the France international this season.
They include Manchester United, Paris St-Germain and his former club Marseille.