Sporting's highly versatile, highly priced João Moutinho
–Zenit St. Petersburg rumors are once again heating up, with the club being linked today with both a midfielder and a striker.
Apparently the club wants more creativity in its midfield. At least if we are to believe Abola, which has reported that Zenit is considering a €16 million offer for Sporting (Portugal) midfielder João Moutinho.
After 19 matches Sporting has only registered 28 points, good enough for fourth place in the Liga Sagres but well off the Champions League spots. With that in mind, the Portuguese media has been steadily increasing speculation that the club may be dealing some of their major players.
Coach Luciano Spalletti responded to the rumor by more-or-less not responding: “There are many players who would like to play for Zenit. It’s a known club with big ambitions. Everything is possible.” Fair enough.
In Zenit’s favor is Moutinho’s possible temptation to link up with former Sporting player Danny along with his fellow countryman Fernando Meira. But his talents have been spotted from far and wide, with past stories suggesting that the 23-year-old could move to Everton (England) or Olympique Lyonnais (France) instead.
In other Zenit news, Dinamo Zagreb striker Mario Mandžukić has been considered a possible replacement for soon-to-be departing Fatih Tekke.
The Croatian forward has been linked with a number of clubs this off-season, attracted—surely—by his knack for finding the net. But his €9 million price has pushed most interested parties away.
Recall that prior to Dinamo Moskva acquiring Andriy Voronin the Policemen had been rumored to be interested in the 23-year-old.
–A quick update on Lokomotiv Moskva’s continued pursuit of Marat Izmailov.
According to Record, Loko has increased their offer for Sporting’s midfielder to €6 million—an increase of €1 million from their last offer in January. The Portuguese news outlet is confident that Sporting officials have kindly received the offer and that the Russian’s return to Moskva could be take place as early as next week.
However, as with the case of Moutinho, so much depends upon how desperate Sporting’s financial situation currently is. With Izmailov’s contract valid through 2013 the club certainly does not need to make a hasty move. However, with some concerns over the midfielder’s ability to stay healthy and a restructuring likely to occur in Lisbon in the near future, €6 million could be the best offer they will receive.
Cristian Tănase could be joining Adrian Ropotan in Dinamo's midfield
–It has been widely reported—most actively from the mouth of Konstantin Sarsania–that Dinamo Moskva are scouring the transfer market for an attacking midfielder.
With Yossi Benayoun appearing an unlikely acquisition, and the Policemen also getting a cold shoulder from Newell’s Old Boys’ Mauro Formica, Dinamo’s attention has now turned to Steaua Bucureşti’s Cristian Tănase.
According to Prosport, the Moskva club has already offered €3 million for the 22-year-old’s transfer but the Romanian club is holding out for more cash.
Steaua appear to desire at least €5 million for Tănase due to the fact that 50 percent of the profits from his sale are bound for FC Argeş Piteşti—his former employer.
Tănase only recently joined the Red and Blues, coming to the squad just in time for their rather tepid performance in the Europa League in 2009. But his performance in Steaua’s training camp has attracted significant attention and, perhaps, some significant cash.
–Amkar Perm has announced the signing of midfielder Josip Knežević.
The 21-year-old Croatian has been transferred from NK Osijek, his hometown club where he has been playing since 2005. Knežević has proved himself a competent playmaker—and more recently a goal scorer in his own right– both at the club level and with the Croatia U-21 squad.
A few weeks ago Knežević had been linked with FK Moskva, but with the Citizens luck turning (cough) sour, Amkar have become the beneficiary of the talented young midfielder.
17-year-old Araz Abdullayev looks to be Rubin's latest signing
–Rubin Kazan is likely to sign 17-year-old midfielder Araz Abdullayev. The young Azeri has been with Neftchi Baku since 2008, where he has only recently broken into the starting squad.
Abdullayev was invited to join Rubin’s training camp earlier this month but has now returned to Azerbaijan. Reports suggest that he impressed Rubin officials, however, and may be offered a four-year contract shortly.
Despite his youth, the midfielder has already been capped twice for the Azerbaijan national team.
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