West Ham United are likely to be active in the January transfer window.
West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing Russian target man Fyodor Smolov from Krasnodar ahead of the January transfer window, but that could spell the end for another Hammers striker.
The Sun claim the 27-year-old is a January target for David Moyes at the London Stadium, as the 28-time Russia international continues his explosive form in front of goal which has seen him score nine goals in 14 outings.
It is believed a fee of £15million would be enough to sign Krasnodar’s number 10, but the Hammers face competition from the likes of German giants Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke.
His arrival would be a major coup for the Hammers and could be the difference in helping them avoid relegation come May 2018, but where would that leave exciting young prospect Toni Martinez?
The 20-year-old ace was named on the substitutes’ bench against Watford, and he could do the same on Wednesday night as the Hammers travel to Merseyside to face Everton at Goodison Park.
The former Valencia striker has amassed an impressive 10 goals in 12 outings for the Hammers’ second string this season, with fans desperate to see him start for their side in the near future.
With Javier Hernandez, Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho ahead of the former Oxford United loanee, the presence of Smolov would blow Martinez’s chances of staking a first-team claim out of the water.
Leaving on loan in the winter window is likely to be Martinez’s best bet for first-team football, even if the Hammers don’t sign Smolov – and he could certainly show Moyes what the Hammers would be missing if he joined a Championship team.
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