Report: West Ham have now launched first bid to sign 22-year-old who hit double figures last season

By Sam Preston

West Ham have made a formal bid for Italian international Giacomo Raspadori as they continue their search for a new striker.

Reports in Italy claim that Raspadori, 22, has been the subject of an offer from the London Stadium but it was knocked back immediately.

Calcio Mercato say that his club Sassoulo want 30 million euros (£25.7 million) for the forward, and West Ham have clearly not matched their demands.

David Moyes still does not have cover and competition for Michail Antonio in attack and the Hammers once again have European football to content with next term.

West Ham bid for Raspadori

The report says that Sassoulo would consider a player plus cash deal for their striker, if it was the right profile of player for them.

The issue for West Ham is that Premier League players tend to be earning so much more than players in other leagues, that it might be hard to convince anyone to go the other way.

There is also intense competition for Raspadori from elsewhere in Serie A.

Juventus have identified him as Alvaro Morata’s replacement if they are unable to agree a deal to bring the Spaniard in permanently.

Raspadori has been compared to West Ham hero Carlos Tevez, although he says he models his game more on Sergio Aguero.

That gives you an idea of the playing style of the diminutive striker, who hit ten Serie A goals last season, according to Transfermarkt.

AC Milan have also been offered the striker, as they look for another new forward to go with the signing of Divock Origi from Liverpool.