RFN Weekend Roundup: Dinamo Steals Headlines, Kerzhakov Out, Pogrebnyak May Be In

Dinamo Moskva in talks with VfB Stuttgart to transfer Pavel Pogrebnyak

Dinamo Moskva has effectively monopolized Russian football news this weekend, making headlines over their continued attempts to reconfigure their squad. It hasn’t hurt that director Konstantin Sarsania and coach Andrey Kobelev have been more than willing to answer question and raise expectations.

• Dinamo interestred in Pogrebnyak. Certainly bearing some relation to Aleksander Kerzhakov’s close-to-certain departure, Dinamo Moskva are looking for a striker. The club appears ready-and-willing to bring Pavel Pogrebnyak back to the Russian Premier League, and are currently in discussion with VfB Stuttgart, according to Sport-Express.

The paper states that both of the clubs and the player are contemplating the deal. Stuttgart officials have claimed they are willing to part with the 26-year-old forward if they receive a decent offer. It is believed that Dinamo have engaged in more than one round of talks with the German club.

Stuttgart, having paid 4.8 million Euros for Pogrebnyak from Zenit St. Petersburg during the summer will certainly be looking to cut their losses. A final decision on his transfer is expected to be made in the next two weeks.

• Semshov-Kerzhakov switcheroo? BobSoccer is reporting the possibility of Zenit St. Petersburg pursuing a deal that would send their 31-year-old midfielder Igor Semshov back to Dinamo Moskva. Semshov has played one year in St. Petersburg, prior to which he was with Dinamo for three years. Semshov, before going to Zenit, had only ever played with teams from Moskva, his hometown.

His departure could also be accompanied by the acquisition of Kerzhakov. It has been widely reported that Kerzhakov is unhappy with current contract negations with the Whites-Blues; both he and Dinamo are looking into other options. If the exchange between Zenit and Dinamo were to take place, the St. Petersburg club is expected to spend an additional 3 million euros.

Kobelev has been adamant that Semshov is only one of several possible candidates that his club is considering.

• Luis Aguiar possibly set for Sporting. Sporting Lisbon, who recently announced the termination of their contract with midfielder Miguel Angulo, has turned their attention to the acquiring Dinamo’s Luis Aguiar.
  

  Luis Aguiar seems ready to return to Portugal

The Uruguayan has played in Portugal before–with Sporting Braga–prior to being transferred to Dinamo this past mid-season. Dinamo, who paid 2.5 million euros for Aguiar’s services, are—according to Sarsania—willing to loan the midfielder to Sporting but have yet to finalize the deal for the former Liverpool Montevideo man.

• Aleksandr Dimidko is a coveted man. FK Krylya Sovetov Samara and FK Sibir Novosibirsk are both on the market to bolster their respective midfields. After pursuing those available they both have taken an interest in the 6 ft. 5 in. Dinamo midfielder Aleksandr Dimidko.

Last year Dimidko played in 14 Premier League matches with Dinamo and scored two goals.

“We have not heard any concrete proposals for Dimidko’s transfer. But we are aware of the interest from Samara and Novosibirsk,” said Sarsania, when asked about the possible transfer. Sarsania, however, did confirm that his club was willing to part with the 23-year-old.

• Pursuing one, (temporarily) losing another. Dinamo striker Tsvetan Genkov, currently undergoing treatment in Bulgaria, has said that he is not sure where he will be playing next season, but many suspect it will not be with Dinamo.

In an interview with CisSoccer.com, Genkov said, “As for talk about my transfer to Lokomotiv Sofia, when I spoke with people from the club they did not say anything and I have not signed anything. When I left Moskva, I told the club leadership that I want to play elsewhere, and asked to be loaned out for six months or a year. But so far nothing has been finalized.”

Sarsania has suggested a tentative agreement with a Bulgarian club has been made, and the loan transfer will be made official next week.

In 2007 Genkov was transferred to Dinamo from the Bulgarian Railroaders, after the club paid 2.3 million euros. In 2009 he played only 5 matches due to a continued struggle with injuries.

• Other news around the league. Lithuanian international defender Ignas Dedura has become a free agent. Spartak Moskva has announced their plan not to renew his contract with the club.

After 5 years, Ignas Dedura leaves Spartak Moskva

Dedura has been with the People’s Team since 2004. The 31-year-old played in 4 matches this year with the club.

Another Bulgarian yearning for home. Terek Grozny defender Valentin Iliev is hopeful to return to Bulgaria, but the move has yet to be secured.

Illiev has said that he is currently in talks with CSKA Sofia, as reported by Sport 1 (Bulgaria). The Sofia club has not purchased the player, however, citing that Grozny’s asking price is too high. It is believed that a loan deal through the summer, in the area of 400,000 euros, will be made—at which time his contract with Terek would expire.

Iliev has been with Terek for two years, and been consistently contributed to their central defense.