West Ham consider £15million bid for Russia captain Fyodor Smolov as Diafra Sakho exit nears

West Ham are considering a £15million bid for Russia international striker Fyodor Smolov if, as expected, Diafra Sakho moves to Crystal Palace.

The two London Premier League clubs have agreed a fee of around £12m for Sakho and should that deal go through, West Ham are likely to move for Smolov, who plays for Russian Premier League team Krasnodar.

Smolov, who is 28 next month, has been prolific for club and country over the last two seasons and has topped the scoring lists in the Russian Premier League for the last two seasons.

He has scored 59 goals in 90 matches for Krasnodar and 11 in 28 for Russia, including two in a 3-3 draw with Spain in November.

Midfield remains a priority for West Ham though with bids for Bournemouth’s Harry Arter and Stoke’s Joe Allen having been rejected so far.

Furthermore, the club are reportedly ready to listen to offers for striker Javier Hernandez, who has scored just four goals since his £16m move from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.