West Ham see bid for Premier League star rejected as they look to strengthen in transfer window

West Ham have had an approach for Leeds United attacker Raphinha rejected, with the Whites adamant their star is going nowhere.

The Hammers are looking to strengthen their attacking options before the end of the January transfer window and have targeted the Brazilian international for that role.

West Ham’s first priority this month was to seal the return of Jesse Lingard to the club but have seen their advances rebuffed with Manchester United unwilling to deal with a direct rival.

With a move for Lingard therefore unlikely at this stage, the Hammers are looking elsewhere for attacking reinforcements and are understood to have approached Leeds with a view to bringing Raphinha to east London.

The bid was swiftly rejected by Leeds, with the West Yorkshire club determined to keep hold of their star forward and have no intention of letting him leave this transfer window.

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The Hammers are reported to have lodged a £50 million offer but have been told the Brazilian is not for sale at any price.

Raphinha has scored eight goals in 20 Premier League appearances so far this season and is under contract at Elland Road until 2024. The forward is currently on international duty with Brazil and started for them during Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Ecuador.

He is not the only attacker that West Ham have been linked with, as Hugo Ekitike is also reported to be of interest to the Hammers.

The 19-year-old striker is available if the Hammers can meet Reims valuation of £25million, with president Jean-Pierre Caillot open to letting the teenager go.

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After Newcastle approached Reims earlier in the transfer window Caillot said: “It is true that many [clubs] now realise the qualities of the player, but not us. He was trained with us and what he does not surprise us

“Newcastle positioned themselves, we discussed it, [and] they made a proposal which does not suit us. As we don’t necessarily want to see him leave, we have set the bar quite high.

“They offered us €35m (£29.1m) in total but with many bonuses, some of which were almost impossible to achieve – like, for example, winning the Champions League. We want €30m (£24.9m) fixed plus €10m (£8.3m) in realisable bonuses.”

https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/transfer-news/west-ham-premier-league-transfer-22917617

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