Fyodor Smolov was reportedly interesting West Ham, but a Russian agent has revealed interest from Arsenal, Everton and Palace.
Fedor Smolov reportedly interested West Ham United for much of the January transfer window but a Russian agent has now claimed both Everton, Arsenal and Crystal Palace were also interested, in an interview with Russian outlet Sport Express.
Sky Sports reported on Tuesday that West Ham were in talks with Krasnodar as they looked to secure a loan-to-buy deal, but a move broke down as the Russian side wanted a permanent deal worth £12million for the 27-year-old.
The 28-time Russia international alerted the attention of West Ham after scoring 10 goals in just 13 Russian Premier League appearances this season, with only 18 months left on the 27-year-old’s contract.
However, agent Sandor Varga has claimed on deadline day that West Ham were not the only side interested in the striker, but Everton and Crystal Palace were also keen to do a deal.
“West Ham, Crystal Palace,” Varga said, when asked about Smolov’s interested parties. “I know for sure that Roy Hodgson was interested in Smolov. And Arsene Wenger asked me about this attacker.
“Another was Everton. In general, 6-7 teams. Fedor has a good agent who communicates quite easily with English clubs. So I’m not much surprised if the forward of Krasnodar in winter will be in England.”
West Ham finally purchased a striker in the final hours of deadline day in the form of target man Jordan Hugill from Preston, while Everton had signed Cenk Tosun from Besiktas earlier in the window.
Arsenal landed one of the buys of the window in the form of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while Crystal Palace signed Alexander Sorloth from FC Midtjylland.
Smolov, though, remains with Krasnodar with his future likely to be in the air come the summer.
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