RUSSIAN striker Fyodor Smolov is high on the West Ham wanted list.
Hammers’ representatives watched Smolov fire his 12th goal on the season at the weekend.
He’s reached that figure in just 14 games for his club Krasnodar and country, and his latest strike earned a 1-0 win at Ural Sver Oblast.
Smolov, 27, is looking forward to leading his nation at next summer’s World Cup on home soil.
But the fluent English speaker is also said to have one eye on the Premier League.
New West Ham boss David Moyes is desperate to improve his flagging club’s goal threat and Smolov looks like an ideal candidate to do just that.
CLAIM YOUR FREE £30 BET Check out this new sign up offer from Sun Bets
For he has scored more than 50 goals since moving to Krasnodar in 2015.
Other West Ham targets include Liverpool duo Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings.
A COMPLETE ONE-OFF Ex-Man City kitman reveals what Mario Balotelli left in his locker after exit
But, like current centre-forward Andy Carroll, both are extremely injury prone.
Not surprisingly the Hammers will face competition for Smolov.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
Bundesliga sides Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen are also keen on the Russia captain.
On Wednesday Moyes returns to fellow-strugglers Everton for a showdown that already has the look of a six-pointer about it.
But he will look at a decent recovery to draw with Leicester on Friday as evidence that things are moving forward.
Leave a comment