Spartak's newest Brazilian
AZ Alkmaar striker Ari appears to be Spartak Moskva’s latest signing.
The 24-year-old Brazilian has flown to Moskva for a medical exam with the People’s team, after having already agreed to the personal terms of a four-year contract.
Valery Karpin, despite having concerns over a hole in his defensive midfield, appears to have been unable to pass up the deal for Ari–taking advantage of the terrible financial problems that have forced the Dutch club to begin offloading their talent.
Reports today out of Russia place the transfer sum to be €2.5 million, significantly less than the €4.3 million AZ paid Kalmar (Sweden) for the forward in 2007.
Ari has stated to the Dutch media that he has a few regrets, “In Russia it is cold. And in Holland I’ll be leaving many friends. I feel a little sad, because at the Dutch club I’ve felt part of the family.” The former Fortaleza player, however, could not turn down the financial package that Spartak are preparing to give him.
The move raises some questions as to the immediate future of Artem Dzyuba and Aleksandr Prudnikov. Since returning from loan spells with Tom Tomsk and Sparta Praha, respectively, both forwards are currently training with Spartak. The Ari deal could see one of them sent on loan in the near future.
The move may also stem from the recent injury to Nikita Bazhenov. While the Russian forward-cum-winger is expected to recover by the beginning of the season, Ari’s acquisition gives Karpin greater depth on the right side of his attack.
Great, another mercenary – going on that miserable interview! In Ari’s favour however is a great sense of timing/ghosting into the box (this worked well with El Hamdaoui who likes to get out and hit in from the chalk).
And Dzyuba’s too profligate to fulfil his potential at the highest level, so any fee commanded for him is worth it.
I think Karpin sees Dzyba as an attacking midfielder, not as a striker. Dzyba also possesses Russian passport and it makes him unlikely to leave.
It is an interesting question, Nik. Before Dzyuba left for Tomsk, and Bystrov was still with the squad, he seemed to be in that indeterminate area of the second striker alongside Welliton in a 4-1-3-2. Whatever you call him, it seems Ari will compete for a similar role–albeit with the disadvantage that you mention, as Karpin of course can only field so many foreign players.
If I had to bet I would expect Dzyuba to stay as well. But Karpin can be a tough nut to crack at times.