David Sullivan has made an opening offer for the first target identified by West Ham’s new head of recruitment Kyle Macauley.
West Ham now have four days to sign a striker before the January transfer window closes.
A brand new name is in the frame following the arrival of Kyle Macauley as West Ham’s new head of recruitment.
The Hammers paid Chelsea £1.2m to reunited talent identifier Macauley with Graham Potter.
The pair have worked together at all of Potter’s previous clubs.
There have been a long list of success stories too with a track record of signing young stars who can shine in the Premier League.
One example of that is Brighton striker Evan Ferguson.
Signed by Potter and Macauley during their time at the Seagulls, Ferguson was given his Premier League debut under the new Hammers boss.
That relationship was said to have made West Ham favourites to sign the 20-year-old Irishman before the window slams shut.
But as time ticks down, it is looking increasingly unlikely.
Especially after Hammers News exclusively revealed West Ham believe it will be difficult to compete for Ferguson.
Many West Ham supporters have been venting their anger that the club is yet to make any signings.
Late-night drama as West Ham bid for Macauley’s first target
It has been clear for many months that the club’s failed summer rebuild has left the squad woefully short in key areas.
Signing a striker was a priority before West Ham lost Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug long-term.
Now it is deemed a necessity.
But there is confusion over West Ham’s budget and ambition.
That has been caused by the £57m bid for Jhon Duran amongst a series of uninspiring loan moves for ageing, injury-prone forwards.
The Irons plumbed new depths yesterday with a sudden loan move for soon-to-be 35-year-old striker Ciro Immobile at Besiktas.
West Ham were saved from themselves when it was rejected.
The Hammers seem to have been focusing on Dutch talent or players in the Eredivisie of late.
There was late-night drama as West Ham launched a lowball bid for Macaulay’s first target.
Having only arrived at the club last Wednesday, it has been difficult to see Macauley’s influence in West Ham’s transfer targets until now.
While Macauley will be identifying targets along with Potter, it will be down to majority owner David Sullivan to get deals done following the departure of Tim Steidten.

Hammers make lowball offer for Pepi after Liverpool winner
The good news is Macauley’s vision is much more aligned with the hopes and expectations of fans.
Because he has identified young hotshot American striker Ricardo Pepi to be West Ham’s new striker.
The 22-year-old Texas-born forward has been starring for PSV, scoring 17 goals in 28 games this season.
Pepi is a hard-working striker who leads the high-press and has excellent hold-up play.
So it’s easy to see why Macauley has picked him out for Potter.
But the bad news is, Sullivan’s opening bid has been rejected out of hand and is viewed as ‘derisory’ in Holland.
Just before midnight last night – hours after Pepi scored the winner in PSV’s 3-2 Champions League victory over Liverpool – West Ham launched their bid for him.
PSV reject West Ham offer of just £20m
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims in an exclusive that the Hammers offered a loan with an obligation to buy for a total package of just £20m.
Romano says West Ham submitted an official bid for the USA striker Pepi.
But he understands that PSV Eindhoven rejected the proposal.
Now Sullivan must decide to up the offer or continue to look elsewhere.
There is no indication whether West Ham received any encouragement a deal might be there to be done.
If Sullivan was testing the water before making a more serious offer then that’s sensible.
However, if he was just chancing his arm to turn around and say he tried then Macauley and Potter will already see what they’re going to be up against reshaping this squad.
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