West Ham make shock £12m bid for Brazil-based Argentinian striker Lucas Pratto

WEST HAM are making a shock £12 million bid for Brazil-based Argentinian striker Lucas Pratto.

Hammers have approached Pratto to sound him out about a surprise move to the Premier League to give more power to their attack.

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Pratto, 28, has a fixed fee in his contract with Atletico Miniero and can be bought in the window next month if that is met.

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Hammers are looking for more goals and physical presence up front and Pratto looks an alternative or even replacement for Andy Carroll.

The far-travelled forward has been a hit in Brazil after failing on one previous attempt to play in Europe with Genoa in Italy.

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Pratto was voted player of the year in Argentina three years ago and belatedly made it into the national side. He started and scored against Colombia last month.

Because of his time in Italy he has a passport and can come to England.

Pratto is a colourful character who was brought up by his mother and sports a British Bulldog tattoo.