Spallet-nik Tops the List in a Quick Tour of RPL Rumors

Juventus outcast Cristian Molinaro has a fan in St. Petersburg

Chris Riordan has already done the heavy-lifting. But RFN won’t quit. So a Monday edition of spletnik merely takes some snapshots on a quick tour from north to south, with a detour through Kazan. Starting in St. Petersburg we check to see who else has landed on Spalletti’s radar. Then a brief, but important, tidbit of information on a renegotiated contract with Rubin. And, finally, we have to give some love to Moskva.

Zenit St. Petersburg:

• In addition to Peter Crouch, Spallet-nik has also been attached, predictably, with Italian football. First on Spalletti’s list is Empoli striker Éder.

The 23-year-old has scored 9 goals in 19 matches with the Serie B squad this year. Last year, with Frosinone, the Brazilian scored 17 goals in 34 appearances.

• Spalletti also continues to look for defensive reinforcement in Italy.  Juventus left-back Cristian Molinaro refuses to leave the thoughts of the former Roma coach, who had been keen on acquiring the 26-year-old over the summer when still managing the Rome side.

According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Molinaro could push to be released after struggling for playing time with the Old Lady, playing in only five times in league play.

• 18-year-old midfielder Anton Sosnin has signed a one-year extension with the St. Petersburg club. Having been an integral part of the youth squad in 2009, Sosnin will be competing for a spot on the main squad during training camp early next year.

Rubin Kazan:

• Aleksandr Ryazantsev, after contemplating a move to either CSKA Moskva or Dinamo Moskva, has decided to stay in Kazan, according to Soviet Sport.
  

  Ryazantsev set to stay with Rubin

Ryazantsev is set to sign a two-year contract with the club after he returns from vacation.

Spartak Moskva:

• Central defender and Spartak captain Martin Jiránek has agreed to a new contract with the club. The news was reported on 24 December on the club’s official site.

The news comes after some speculation that the Czech defender could be departing, especially after some particularly suggestive comments from coach Valery Karpin that he could see Jiránek replaced during the offseason.

• Cruzerio striker Wellington Paulista has won the attention of several European clubs. Spartak has added its name to the list.

The 6 ft. Brazilian scored 14 goals in 25 matches with the Belo Horizonte club this year.

• Late last week it was also reported that Spartak could sign Terek Grozny midfielder Blagoy Georgiev. Prior to the 2009 season the 28-year-old Bulgarian was with Slavia Sofia (Bulgaria) and Red Star Belgrade (Serbia).
  

  Terek's Blagoy Georgiev connected with Spartak, among others

In addition to the People’s team, Georgiev has been monitored by CSKA Moskva and Rubin Kazan. Last season he played in 27 matches with Terek, scoring one goal.

CSKA Moskva:

• After some concerns late last week that his transfer negotiations would not come to fruition, VVV Venlo midfielder Keisuke Honda remains likely to land with CSKA.

CSKA president Evgeny Giner has acknowledged that talks are ongoing with the Dutch club, with the issue of Honda’s value still being debated. Recent reports have suggested that the transfer fee could be as high as €9 million.

The player, however, has agreed to personal terms with the Army club. It was reported on Monday that Honda will sign a four-year deal—slated to be worth close to €2 million per year.

Lokomotiv Moskva:

• Even after securing the services of Dmitri Tarasov and Vladislav Ignatyev, and close to finalizing a deal with Dynamo Kiev’s Oleksandr Aliyev, Yuri Semin is still trying to strengthen Loko’s midfield.

The latest midfielder to be attached to the Railroaders is their former player Marat Izmailov. Since 2007 Izmailov has been with Sporting (Portugal), but has recently been the object of preliminary talks between Loko and the Lisbon side. If the parties reach an agreement Izmailov could be back in Moskva by January.