Report: West Ham Plotting Move For Russian International Fyodor Smolov
West Ham are reportedly plotting a January move for Fyodor Smolov from Russian top-flight club FC Krasnodar.
The Russian international has 18 months left on his contract and the Daily Mail report that he is keen on a move to London, with the Hammers looking to capitalise on the opportunity in order to lift themselves out of the relegation zone.
The newspaper claims that West Ham are looking to make a £15m bid for the forward in an attempt to lure him away from Krasnodar. The 27-year-old has been in excellent form this season, scoring eight goals in just 13 games across all competitions, which is the kind of output that West Ham have been dying for all season.
The Hammers are in desperate need of some firepower this season, as Andy Carroll has not delivered thus far while summer signing Javier Hernandez is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Smolov has scored 57 times in just 88 games for Krasnodar and West Ham fans will be hoping that the Russian could duplicate those stats in the Premier League.
Stoke City were also linked with the Russian forward last year but it was Borussia Dortmund who opted to make a strong effort to sign the 27-year-old, which ultimately ended with the deal falling through after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opted to stay.
David Moyes's side have scored just 11 goals in 12 Premier League games this season, therefore, the signing of a top striker is a necessity if they wish to move up the table.
Moyes will be keen to get the Russian's signature in January, alongside a box-to-box midfielder, which has also been reported as a priority.
