Zenit St. Petersburg's Iranian forward Sardar Azmoun warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League match against Lyon on November 27, 2019. (Getty Images)
According to Area Napoli (h/t Leicestershire Live), West Ham are interested in Zenit St. Petersburg striker Sardar Azmoun.
The Iranian international has been earning rave reviews with his eye-catching displays in front of the goal in recent times. Having scored 10 goals from 21 league appearances this season for table-toppers Zenit, Azmoun has now attracted interest from Moyes’ Hammers and Leicester City.
The 25-year-old Azmoun is one of the best strikers in the Premier Liga at the moment after having claimed the second spot last season in the list of top goalscorers in the league.
He scored 13 goals from 26 games in the league last season. However, he scored the major share of them (nine) after moving to Zenit in February 2019 from rivals Kazan. Meanwhile, Azmoun’s finishing skills seem to be improving with time as the striker is already third in the list of league’s top goalscorers, just three short of leader and teammate Artem Dzyuba.
Thus, it is no big wonder the Hammers are on the lookout for Azmoun, who has been witnessing a gradual rise in the Russian top-flight, having featured for the likes of clubs such as Zenit, Kazan, and Rostov.
Meanwhile, the lack of a consistent goalscorer has seen West Ham struggle badly in the league this season. Moyes’ side are currently fighting for their survival in the league, with the side hanging just two places above the relegation zone.
Despite roping in French striker Sebastien Haller last summer, West Ham have managed just 35 goals from 29 league outings that has seen them fall lower down the rankings.
Haller, who arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt for a hefty sum, has been far from impressive, scoring a mere seven goals despite making 27 league appearances. Meanwhile, Hammers’ back-up striker and Swiss international Albian Ajeti has been far from impressive.
He has not managed to score a single goal from his eight league appearances that has seen him spend most of his time on the sidelines. The Hammers do not have any more forwards in their ranks and their interest in Azmoun makes sense.
Having proved his potential and consistency to score goals over the last couple of years, Azmoun is exactly what West Ham need to climb the ladders next season. Azmoun is also an Iran national team regular, having scored 31 goals from 46 appearances and featured in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Lack of an established finisher has hurt Moyes’ side badly this season. Thus, signing a reliable striker like Azmoun, who has both international and club experience will do them good ahead of next season. Moreover, his arrival will offer Moyes plenty of options up front.
