Tales of Andriy Voronin, Spalletti Considers a Socceroo

Andriy Voronin considred a possible acquisition for several Russian clubs

• Leave it to the British tabloids to get transfer ink flowing.

Recently the British press has busied itself with Liverpool’s wayward striker Andriy Voronin. With the examination–dare we say abject scruitny–of Voronin’s impending departure from Liverpool, all of a sudden Russia has been made to look a likely candidate for the Ukrainian international.

First was The Guardian, who made a whimsical statement connecting the 30-year-old with Zenit St. Petersburg. While that story saw itself recycled amongst all major Russian football sites, there does not seem to be independent corroboration of the pithy story. Nevertheless, if you feel so inclined, you could add his name to the extensive list of possible strikers heading to Zenit.

Now, according to The Telegraph, the former Bayer Leverkusen man has been attached to CSKA Moskva and Dinamo Moskva.

The Zenit rumors appear less-grounded than CSKA’s supposed intentions. Back in October it was widely reported that CSKA’s new coach Leonid Slutsky had expressed interest in the player. With Rafa Benítez’s patience for Voronin’s inefficiency at an all-time low—leading him to effectively send the striker on an early vacation—CSKA could now pick Voronin up at an even greater discount.

Liverpool appear content to let the forward leave for £1.5 million (€1.7 million euros).

Voronin has failed to make any real impact with the Meyerside club since joining the squad in 2007. However, he did have success with Hertha Berlin last season while on loan (11 goals in 20 matches). This season, while back with Liverpool, Voronin has been practically invisible, appearing in eight matches and still yet to score.

• Zenit consider becoming the United Nations of Russian Football.

Australian international Harry Kewell

As for Zenit rumors, there has been an interesting shift today. Rather than yet another far-fetched report that an out-and-out striker has caught Spalletti’s eye, Zenit’s concerns seem to have temporarily shifted–surprising–to the midfield. Today it has been reported that Galatasaray’s attacking midfielder Harry Kewell has been thought a possible acquisition.

The 31-year-old Australian’s contract is set to run out at the end of this season, prompting speculation that the Istanbul club will attempt to cash in despite Lions fans pleading for Kewell to stay.

Spalletti’s interest in the midfielder has been noted before, back when Kewell played with Liverpool.

This year with Galatasaray, Kewell has spent time both as a left winger and, more recently, as a striker after Milan Baroš suffered a long-term foot injury at the end of October.