WEST HAM are this morning reported as being ready to make  a shock £12 million bid for Brazil-based Argentinian striker Lucas Pratto.

According to The Sun, the club have approached Pratto to sound him out about a surprise move to the Premier League to give more power to their attack.

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.

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