West Ham linked with new striker target, 26-year-old is available

West Ham United are considering a move for Rubin Kazan’s Ruben Rochina during the January transfer window, according to a report from HITC Sport.

The report claims the former Blackburn Rovers striker is on David Moyes’ Hammers radar and could be available to sign in the next week.

West Ham will face stiff competition to bring him to the London Stadium, with the likes of Fulham and Girona also rumoured to be interested in securing the forward’s services.

The Russian outfit are currently going through financial problems and the Hammers believe they could strike a deal to sign the player.

Rochina has not been paid by Rubin for a number of months and it is believed he may be considering the option to ask FIFA if he can terminate his contract and be free to speak to other clubs, as did former team-mate Yann M’Vila.

West Ham are being hit hard with injuries at the moment, with a number of first-team players on the sidelines for a significant period of time, especially in the attacking department.

Andy Carroll has been ruled out for three months with a broken foot, whilst both Manuel Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic are set to miss around a month each in a blow for the Hammers.

There has been recent transfer speculation around the West Ham futures of Javier Hernandez, Diafra Sakho and Andre Ayew, with the two latter names also in the treatment room.

The Mexico international is thought to be open to a move away from the London Stadium, despite having only joined the Hammers last summer in a £16million move from Bayer Leverkusen.

The West Ham striker has found life difficult in his second spell in the Premier League, having scored five times in 21 appearances.

As such, a move for a new centre forward could well be an inspired move by Moyes – but it remains to be seen whether Rochina has the required quality to make an impact for the Irons.