West Ham preparing second bid for 22y/o striker club wants as first January signing – report

West Ham United have failed with an opening bid for PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi.

The Hammers are in dire need of attacking reinforcement and are ramping up efforts to sign a striker within the next few days.

According to Dutch news outlet ed.nl, West Ham submitted an initial €25 million (£21m) bid for Pepi, but it was swiftly rejected by PSV.

The Dutch champions aren’t looking to sell any of their high-value assets before the January transfer window deadline.

It remains to be seen if West Ham have the war chest to force their hand, but the Hammers are preparing to return with a second bid.

West Ham’s initial bid was higher than Pepi’s initial value.

The United States international is valued at €18m (£15m) on Transfermarkt, so it might take a ridiculous offer to bring PSV to the negotiating table.

Pepi would be an impressive signing for West Ham

Pepi has been in remarkable form for PSV this season despite struggling to break into the starting line-up.

The 22-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best young talents to come out from the United States and is gradually living up to expectations.

Despite battling Luuk de Jong for a spot in Peter Bosz’s line-up, Pepi has returned 18 goals and three assists in 29 appearances across all competitions this season.

Pepi has scored 11 times in 18 Eredivisie games despite starting just five, and only FC Twente midfielder Sam Steijn has scored more goals than the USMNT striker in the league (15).

Unlike PSV, West Ham will be able to give Pepi the platform to realise his undoubted potential, and he could be a long-term solution to their centre-forward woes.

Michail Antonio is out for the rest of the season after suffering a freak accident, while Niclas Fullkrug continues to be linked with a move away from the London Stadium despite injury issues.

Landing a player with Pepi’s talent and potential would be a huge coup for West Ham, but it remains to be seen if PSV will shift their stance.