Real Madrid No concerns about adaptability

The name Fyodor Smolov may not be a familiar one to Real Madrid and LaLiga fans around the globe but the Krasnodar forward is one of the players Los Blancos are in with a shout of signing this January.

Both Mauro Icardi and Timo Werner have been linked to the Spanish giants ahead of the club's jaunt into the winter market but the Russian is another possibility as his services have been offered for a move.

Initial risks of Smolov struggling to adapt to life in Madrid have also been dispelled as scouting reports understand the striker to be a somewhat westernised Russian, possessing a good handle on the English language and able to integrate into an international dressing room.

At 27, Smolov has already graced the Dutch top-flight during a loan spell at Feyenoord, although that stint saw him return to former club Dynamo Moscow without much success.

It wasn't until he headed to Krasnodar in 2015 that his career kicked into overdrive, scoring 38 goals across his first two seasons before a further 10 strikes in 13 appearances during 2017/18.

On the international stage, Smolov caught the eye with a brace in the recent friendly against Spain and he is expected to lead the line for the World Cup hosts this summer, currently boasting a record of 11 goals in 28 caps.

While there are bigger names ahead of the forward on Real's wishlist, it could end up being the case that Smolov is brought to Madrid with the club confident that he can make an immediate impact on their goalscoring woes.