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Russian striker needs persuading

fedor_smolov_of_fc_krasnodar_celebrates_after_scoring_a_goal_dur_624215West Ham are looking to secure a last-minute deal that will see FC Krasnodar striker Fedor Smolov join the Hammers on loan for the remainder of the season after the departure of Diafra Sakho yesterday.

The Russian side would rather sell the 27-year-old forward outright and are demanding £12m for his signature rather than a five-month loan with a fixed option to buy. Sources close to the negotiations say the striker is yet to be convinced that West Ham would be a good career move for him and has yet to personally agree to a move to London and the Premier League.

Smolov started his professional career at Dynamo Moscow and was snapped up by Krasnodar in 2015. The striker is expected to play a big role for Russia in the World Cup this summer and has scored eleven international goals in 28 caps for his country. The forward wants to be sure he gets a regular start in any club he moves to.

 

About Sean Whetstone

I am Season Ticket Holder in West stand lower at the London Stadium and before that, I used to stand in the Sir Trevor Brooking Lower Row R seat 159 in the Boleyn Ground and in the Eighties I stood on the terraces of the old South Bank. I am a presenter on the West Ham Podcast called MooreThanJustaPodcast.co.uk. A Blogger on WestHamTillIdie.com a member of the West Ham Supporters Advisory Board (SAB), Founder of a Youtube channel called Mr West Ham Football at http://www.youtube.com/MrWestHamFootball, I am also the associate editor here at Claret and Hugh. Life Long singer of bubbles! Come on you Irons! Follow me at @Westhamfootball on twitter

5 comments on “Russian striker needs persuading

  1. So his price is £12m and we have money to spend on transfers but want a 5 month loan…. Is he really that ****?

  2. What is it with Sullivan? I would think just about any striker would do at the minute with Sahko gone and Carroll always unavailable.Does Sullivan think we are the club to be at in 2018 and beyond?? I will reserve judgment until after the window closes.

  3. And there in lies the problem!! We don’t want to take just anyone just because Sakho has now gone. And its exactly what Moyes has said, and rightly so, we don’t want to make the same mistakes as in the past. Taking Smolov on a loan to buy option gives us the get out clause we should’ve had in place for Snodgrass. If he turns out not to be suitable, we can send him back for the price of whatever the loan fee was and not be lumbered with a total waste of oxygen for however many millions of pounds we splashed out.
    Just food for thought but tell me how many Russians have done well in the Prem???

  4. The YouTube doesn’t make him look like anything special.

  5. I understand using loan as worked in past but I don’t see Kransodor taking loan. He wants a PL move supposedly to take that next challenge & would have to famxy his cuancwa of starting here with thin squad & injuries & fits Mold of what Moyes like a Mobile CF w some pace.
    From what i have heard from Kransodor Fans & Russian PL fans & from some video & very good for Russia against Spain but he is kind of like Arnie at 6’2 but lean & has pace good w both feet & head. Very rounded CF & could do very well here or flop.
    Russian window just opened on 28th & they are on break so won’t be match fit but be reated & fit.

    If we had planned better for January instead of thinking will be ok unless injuries then they happen or in summer if for that 2nd CF & Creator or DM.

    But we didn’t & have to take a punt he won’t be on high wages wouldn’t think & watched WBA & Brighton secure PL loans for CFa & we are worse off then them.
    I would have him here but going to have to spend £12m which isn’t Much in January. Willing to spend £20m on Cairney who has Knee issues but they want take £20m so might as well take a Punt on Smolov or Babacar or who I’d love Daivid Selke from Hertha 23yo 9 goals.
    But if some how we bring in a CF & CDM I’ll be happy.

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