West Ham appear to have identified a new striker as they look to add depth up top.

West Ham are continuing their search for a new striker, and they have once again seen a proposal rejected. The Hammers lost Niclas Fullkrug to injury again recently, and Graham Potter has been left scrambling for a new frontman this month.

An early bid for Jhon Duran was rejected, with Aston Villa not willing to sell to a Premier League rival at £57million, though they were willing to sell to Al-Nassr at £59million, with Duran now on his way to Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, West Ham’s search continues, and amid links with Brian Brobbey and Andre Silva, it seems there is another name on the list. According to Fabrizio Romano, PSV frontman Ricardo Pepi is the player now being chased, although it seems a deal will not be straightforward.

Romano tweeted: “EXCLUSIVE: West Ham submit official bid for USMNT striker Ricardo Pepi worth €25m package, loan with obligation to buy. Understand PSV Eindhoven have rejected the proposal.”

Pepi is a 22-year-old striker who already has 22 international caps to his name, scoring 13 times on the international stage. At club level, Pepi has scored 18 times in 45 league appearances for PSV since arriving from Augsburg in 2023. Pepi initially broke onto the scene with FC Dallas, scoring 15 goals in 55 league appearances as a youngster, but his spell with Augsburg didn’t go so well, and he failed to score there.

The Texas native is currently under contract until 2028, and he signed for around £9million, but his value has grown significantly since then, and PSV clearly believe that he is worth more than £20million.

Pepi wants to be ‘the man’

Pepi has been billed as a super sub for PSV having been stuck behind Luuk de Jong for much of the season, making only five league starts all season, and he feels he is ready for a bigger role.

"Obviously people are noticing the things that I'm doing whenever I come in as a sub, and it makes them say the word," Pepi told ESPN. "But at the same time, hearing that word, it makes me want to, I don't know, punch something. I'm at a point in my career right now where I'm ready. I'm ready to either start, or to get more playing time. I feel like I've been showing that."

For your next West Ham read, Arsenal and West Ham target set for £64.5m move