---
title: "West Ham target Russia forward"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2017/11/24/west-ham-target-russia-forward/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2017-11-24T20:16:22Z"
modified: "2017-11-24T20:16:22Z"
---

# West Ham target Russia forward

West Ham United are preparing a January move for FC Krasnodar forward Fyodor Smolov, [according to the Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5114289/West-Ham-launch-15m-January-bid-Fyodor-Smolov.html).

The 27-year old striker has just 18 months left on his contract with the Russian Premier League side, and West Ham are reportedly lining up a £15million move.

It is reported that Smolov is particularly keen on a move to London.

Having signed for Krasnodar two summers ago in 2015, Smolov has scored 56 goals in 87 games in all competitions, and has scored 11 in 13 games this season for club and country.

Primarily a striker, Smolov has the pace and technique to play out wide if required, and possesses the added bonus of speaking fluent English.

Both Stoke and Borussia Dortmund were interested in him last summer, with the latter coming much closer, only for their deal to fall through once Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opted to remain at Signal Iduna Park.

David Moyes has struggled since replacing Slaven Bilic, and has made it his January priority to strengthen the Hammers spine, with a box to box midfielder also on the list.