West Ham's opening bid of £10million plus two players for Salomon Rondon has been rejected by West Brom.
Rondon, who spent last season in the Premier League on loan with Newcastle , looks set to leave the Baggies this summer following their failure to earn promotion from the Championship.
And the uncertainty at Newcastle, who confirmed on Monday that Rafa Benitez will leave his role as manager this month, has handed the Hammers the advantage in the race to sign the striker.
The Daily Star has reported that the London Stadium outfit made their opening move just hours after Benitez's exit was confirmed.
West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini is keen to reunite with the Venezuela international, the pair having worked together previously at Spanish club Malaga.
Pellegrini is looking to bolster his attacking ranks following the departure of former England striker Andy Carroll and has made Rondon his No.1 target.
It is claimed that the Hammers offered the Baggies £10m for Rondon plus two out-of-favour players - understood to be Sam Byram and Jordan Hugill.
Right-back Byram spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest while Hugill, the former Preston striker, also had a temporary spell in the Championship with Middlesbrough.
But the Baggies, who are are managed by former Hammers boss Slaven Bilic, are standing firm over their valuation of the striker.
They are resigned to losing losing Rondon, who scored 11 goals in 32 appearances for Newcastle last season, but will only part ways with their star man for the right price.
The east Londoners will need to increase their offer if they are to prove successful in their pursuit but may look at other targets if they can't agree a fee.
