Smertin linked with Premiership return

Alexei Smertin could be set for a return to the Premiership after Dinamo Moscow admitted they are discussing the possibility with the former Chelsea, Portsmouth and Charlton midfielder.

Reports linking the erstwhile Russia captain with a return to the Premiership have been confirmed by Dinamo general director Dmitri Ivanov.

“Up to now, the club has not received any official offers,” Ivanov told Sport Express.

“We are currently discussing various possibilities with Smertin’s agent, which for now only concern English clubs.”

Smertin, 31, has been told he can leave Dinamo just one season after returning to the Russian Premier League after his contract with Chelsea was terminated last year.

Yuri Syomin, Smertin’s former coach at Lokomotiv and the man who brought the midfielder back to Russian football in 2006, quit Dinamo midway through last season after a torrid start, throwing Smertin’s future at the club into doubt.

Smertin has reportedly been linked with West Ham, former club Charlton, Fulham and Russian clubs Lokomotiv and Saturn Moscow.