Russia striker Fyodor Smolov wants to join West Ham before the World Cup starts this summer, Sky Sports News understands.
A source close to the player says West Ham "can end the Cold War" by signing the Krasnodar striker.
The 28-year-old scored for Russia in their 3-1 loss to France in St Petersburg on Tuesday.
He also scored twice in a friendly against Spain in November 2017.
Smolov is valued at between £10m and £13m by Krasnodar and Sky Sports News understands he is expected to leave the Russian club this summer.
West Ham were in talks to sign him last summer but manager David Moyes was not convinced that he was strong enough to play in the Premier League.
Ligue 1 side Marseille are also interested in a deal for Smolov but the player himself would prefer to move to London.
Smolov has scored 50 goals in 67 games for Krasnodar and 12 times in 30 games for Russia.