Mellor is highly rated at Anfield Neil Mellor career profile

The Hammers are searching for a replacement for Freddie Kanoute, who joined Spurs on Monday.

And a season-long loan is seen as the ideal opportunity for Mellor, who has been a prolific goalscorer in Liverpool's reserves.

His potential secured him a one-year contract extension at Anfield last year, but his progress has only produced six first-team starts for the Reds.

The 20-year-old played in Sunday's friendly with Galatasaray in the Amsterdam Tournament, but was sent off along with Steven Gerrard as Liverpool lost 2-1.

West Ham boss Glenn Roeder has not confirmed which striker he is chasing, but told the club's website: "It would be unfair on the club to say who the player is.

"But it is another young player at a top, top Premiership side and I am pretty excited about it.

"There is no chance that he will be sold to us or to anyone else but I have already said too much - hopefully, the player I have in mind will produce lots of goals for us."