Premier League top-four chasers West Ham United have been rebuffed in their quest to sign striker Valentin Castellanos from MLS football team New York City FC according to the report via Italian media portal TuttoMercato Web. It was stated that the Hammers made a €10m (£8.5m) bid for Castellanos and it was turned down by MLS football club New York City FC and that they have made another bid for the 23-year-old striker.

West Ham United manager David Moyes is keen to add a new striker to his squad this season to relieve the pressure on Jamaican international Michail Antonio ahead of what promises to be a busy second half of the season for the East London team. The Hammers are in a battle with four teams for two top-four spots in the league and they are still in two cup competitions. West Ham United are in the race for a Premier League top-four place with three London rivals namely Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in addition to Manchester United. They are in the round of 16 of the Europa League and the round of 32 in the FA Cup.

The aforementioned Italian media outlet said that West Ham initially made a £7m bid for Castellanos and it was turned down by his MLS football team. They returned with an increased bid of  £8.5m and met the same response. The rejection of the two bids has not stopped the Hammers in their bid to sign the MLS football star as they have made a third bid for him.

West Ham United have not signed a replacement for Ivorian striker Sebastien Haller since he left the club to join Dutch team Ajax Amsterdam at the start of last year. Hammers boss Moyes has always given attacking midfielder Jarrod Bowen the nod in the central striker role when he wants to rest Antonio or when the former Nottingham Forest player is injured.