West Ham United are reported to have made a bid for Leeds United captain Ross McCormack.

Leeds rejected several bids from Championship rivals Middlesbrough in the summer, culminating in the striker – who is the division’s leading scorer with 18 goals – signing a new long-term deal.

The injury-plagued Hammers will face a fight to prize the new Whites skipper from Elland Road, with manager Brian McDermott desperate not to lose his talisman.