Spartak is behaving like one of the best clubs on the market. You can demand a minimum amount of money from them.
Dmitry Zimin August 11, 2024, 08:00 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
The only ones who compete with Zenit in terms of spending.
In the public consciousness there is a clear gradation of the transfer capabilities of Russian clubs. There is Zenit, which buys everything it can, and there are all the others. But that is not true. For example, since the beginning of the ban on our football, the leader in transfer spending is Spartak, which invested 77.2 million euros on player purchases. The current champion spent about the same amount (72.7 million euros), but still less. It is clear that at any moment the champion can spend money on conditional Ivan Ilic and then take a clear lead. However, this is not happening yet. Moreover, now the red-and-whites are closer to breaking away. During the summer maintenance they have already bought players for 23.5 million euros – so far a secure first place. And this forces us to do something.
For example, to a clearer formulation of tasks. Remember Dejan Stankovic’s first press conference, tormented by the question of what the management demands from you. There are standard answers about winning all matches and presenting the philosophy, but we never got anything specific. It is understood that representatives of the club later reported that the club would compete for all trophies. But, again, we did not hear anything like that from the head coach. Although this is a bit strange, considering that the current composition is assembled specifically for him. And in terms of cost, it ranks second in the league by a margin.
And at the end of the transfer window, he may become even stronger. If we manage to implement all our plans, we can get closer to Zenit. The bonus is already taken: Ezequiel Barco really surprises from the first rounds with his quick adaptation and participation in the game. And his partnership with Manfred Ugalde is already (or is it still?) one of the best in the League. They spent 14 million euros on the former. In addition, they took the Brazilian Marquinhos, whom Stankovic knew well, for 5 million euros. Willian Jose came for 2 million euros, Igor Dmitriev – for 2.5 million euros. I went to train in Samara.
Ezequiel Barco and Marquinhos
Photo: Dmitry Golubovich, “Championship”
According to insiders, several more players are in the plans: Ivan Karpov showed interest in Corinthians’ Brazilian winger Wesley. The club is reportedly willing to pay 16 million euros for the 19-year-old, but the other side is demanding between 22 and 25 million euros, so negotiations are on hold for now. Just like in the Derrick Koehn story. The Red-Whites are reported to have made an offer to Galatasaray, but they want the club to cover the remaining payment debt to Hannover. A rental option is currently being considered. But Kerem Akturkoglu, it seems, will not be at the club. The player’s agent confirmed that the deal fell through. Although Spartak could potentially pay more than 20 million euros and give the player a huge salary.
And now we are only talking about those deals that have been leaked to the public. But there are negotiations that are being conducted quietly. And no information about them is leaked. In any case, we can say that the club wants to get one more player in defence and, if possible, in attack. Don’t ask about the support zone. They have infinite faith in Nail Umyarov’s talents.
And Sobolev?
Does anyone need Sobolev? Zenit’s history has become a blinder
And let’s be honest: if Spartak manages to implement everything planned, the expectations of the Tomas Amaral-Dejan Stankovic tandem will increase considerably. It will no longer be possible to avoid unpleasant questions about the goals of the season. And even they will have to admit: any result below second place in the RPL can be considered a failure. And in ideal situations, we need to win the Russian Cup. Or at least reach the final.
After all, the management and the coach are not only responsible to the sponsors for the money spent, but also to the fans. And sometimes they see the real situation better than anyone else.
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