Struggling Dynamo Moscow are set to recall their on-loan striker Fyodor Smolov from title challengers Anzhi in the winter transfer window, Dynamo president Vasily Titov told R-Sport on Monday.
Smolov, 22, spent last season at Dynamo struggling for starts behind first-team regulars Kevin Kuranyi and Alexander Kokorin, but with Dynamo stuck in 11th in the Russian table, he could now return to help rescue the Moscow giants' season.
At Anzhi, he has started just four games this season, including the 1-0 Europa League defeat to Liverpool on Thursday, and scored one goal against Vitesse Arnhem in a Europa League qualifier.
“I think that Smolov will return in the winter. At least, I’m really counting on it,” Titov said.
Smolov may be unsettled at Anzhi, Titov suggested.
“You have to remember that players aren’t pieces on a chessboard. He has his own view of where he’s better off," adding that the player’s view was “unknown” and that Smolov would talk with Dynamo officials soon.
On the subject of possible winter transfer buys, Titov said “there are plans” but refused to give details.
In Smolov's absence, Kuranyi has scored once all season, with Kokorin scoring nine in all competitions, including six in his last seven league games.
Ex-Chelsea defender Dan Petrescu was hired as coach in August after a poor run of results left Dynamo in the relegation zone and led to the sacking of Sergei Silkin, who led the club to a third-place finish last season.
Smolov has scored 15 times in 28 appearances for the Russia under-21 team, but has yet to step up to full international level.
