West Ham Join Napoli & Atlético Madrid in Race for £25m Striker Sardar Azmoun

West Ham United are interested in Zenit Saint Petersburg's striker Sardar Azmoun but could face competition from several other European clubs, according to a report.

The 25-year-old Iranian forward has played the majority of his career in Russia, joining Zenit at the start of 2019. 

Sardar Azmoun

Azmoun has contributed to 16 league goals in 21 appearances for Zenit this campaign, attracting the attention of West Ham, who have endured their fair share of ​disappointing strikers in recent years. 

According to reports from the Italian publication Corriere del Mezzogiorno (via ​Sport Witness​Serie A side Napoli have been in frequent contact with Azmoun's representatives. West Ham and Atlético Madrid are also linked to the forward who is thought to garner a fee of around €25-30m. 

West Ham paid £36m for their latest option to spearhead the attack, Sébastien Haller. But after a bright start to life in east London with three goals in as many games, the Frenchman has managed four more from September onwards as David Moyes' side find themselves sitting 16th in the table, hovering precariously above the relegation zone by goal difference alone. 

Sebastien Haller

​Napoli are presented as the most viable destination (although, as an Italian newspaper that is expected) and are also experiencing some difficulties with their front line. 

In Serie A this season no Napoli player has hit double figures for goals scored and their summer signing, the Mexican forward Hirving Lozano, has just three in all competitions.  

​Atlético Madrid find themselves in a similar situation with Álvaro Morata's eight La Liga strikes the highest tally any player has managed by a sizeable margin this season. 

Clearly all three clubs have misfiring strikers in their ranks and, like most sides in the world, would significantly benefit from a successful addition in that area of the field. However, turning to a journeyman unproven outside of Russia's top-flight doesn't seem like a solution which guarantees results. 


Source : 90min