West Ham United: Fyodor Smolov agent opens up as £11million snub emerges
An agent involved with Fyodor Smolov, Sekou Traore, has shared why the striker’s move to West Ham fell through before the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The Russian international starred in an incredible 2017/18 season for Krasnodar, scoring 14 times in 22 appearances, before moving on to Lokomotiv Moscow and then Dynamo Moscow.
It was reported, as per Sky Sports, in January 2018 that the Hammers were interested in Smolov and Krasnodar were demanding a £12million transfer fee, but the deal fell through.
The forward has since expressed his regret at not making the Premier League move, and Traore has explained exactly what happened.
Speaking to Match TV on Thursday (29 February), the agent said: “At first, West Ham offered £10million, but Krasnodar refused. The next offer was £11million. Krasnodar again refused because they wanted to £14 or 15million.
“Smolov, at this time, believed that he could receive an offer from a more eminent club from Europe. At that time, Fedor was 28 years old. The ideal age to leave at the peak of his form.
“But he refused – and I was offended. Later, in an interview, he admitted that he regretted refusing the offer from West Ham.”
West Ham United dodge £11million bullet with Fyodor Smolov
The Hammers have struggled to find out-and-out strikers at London Stadium in recent seasons, with Michail Antonio the closest they have come.
The Jamaican has set records for the highest Premier League goalscorer in the club’s history, bypassing Paolo Di Canio, but his continuous injuries have hindered his career somewhat.
The last time a West Ham striker netted over 20 goals in one season, the club were battling in the Championship and Marlon Harewood scored 22 goals as they claimed promotion through the playoffs.
Gianluca Scamacca, Lucas Perez, Xande Silva Jordan Hugill and Jonathan Calleri are all examples of failed striker purchases since West Ham have moved to the London Stadium, showing a clear lack of direction when it comes to signings.
Smolov would have been yet another bullet point on a long list of failed big-money moves, having failed to regain his sensational form after the 2018 World Cup and scoring only 70 domestic goals in the last six years. [Transfermarkt]
Hammers fans should count their lucky stars that Smolov decided to turn down a move to London.
In other West Ham news, Ally McCoist has made a new demand of Hammers star Jarrod Bowen live on talkSPORT
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