Sam Allardyce will have to return with an improved bid if he wants Leeds United to let Ross McCormack leave Elland Road this month.
The West Ham United boss is eager to add more quality to his squad before the window closes next week, with his side in danger of losing their Premier League status. Having won just four times in their opening 22 fixtures, the Londoners are third bottom in the standings although just a point from safety.
The return to full fitness of Andy Carroll is a timely boost for Allardyce, whilst defender Roger Johnson has been signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan. The Hammers boss remains keen to bolster his options in attack, as he has often been forced to play without a striker at times this season.
A bid in the region of £3million, plus add-ons which is likely to be dependent on top-flight survival, has been tabled for McCormack, who has scored 17 goals in 26 league appearances for Leeds this term. However, the Scotland international is a key figure at the Yorkshire club, who have confirmed they have rejected the offer.
The 27-year-old, who was appointed as club captain last week, has been at Elland Road since the summer of 2010, and he has scored 42 goals in 124 appearances. His current contract is set to run until 2017, yet Allardyce is expected to return with an improved bid to break this agreement in the coming days.
