First, business, then the game. The football season in Russia is preceded by the opening of the summer transfer window, a period marked by significant player movement and club negotiations.
Understanding the registration periods is crucial. Summer windows are always more substantial than winter ones, not only in duration (two to three months versus one) but also in the volume of spending. A year ago, the RPL set a five-year spending record, reaching almost €132 million. Earnings from player sales, however, were more modest at €84 million.
Last year, Zenit was a major newsmaker. Their key acquisitions included Baltika`s goalkeeper Latyshonok and Loco`s midfielder Glushenkov. The former reportedly cost Zenit 30 million rubles (a small sum for a keeper of that caliber), while the latter was valued at €6 million. The transfer of Sobolev also generated buzz, with Zenit paying Spartak €10 million for a potential three-year contract for the forward.
This season, alongside the traditional powerhouses, Krasnodar, Dynamo, and undoubtedly Spartak are expected to be highly active. Spartak`s decision to retain coach Stankovic is seen as a strong move, and the club is reportedly making a renewed push for the title, primarily by strengthening its defense. There are insider reports about Moscow`s interest in Zakaria El Ouahdi, a highly reliable defender and active right-flank player from Belgian club Genk. Football commentator Konstantin Kalutsky described El Ouahdi as potentially being on the level of Douglas Santos, a player capable of contending for the title of best RPL player in his position. Kalutsky highlighted El Ouahdi`s «electric train» work rate, speed, and tactical flexibility, allowing a team to rely on a single player for the entire flank, potentially enabling schemes without a nominal right winger to add a second striker.
Besides Spartak, Zenit also reportedly has eyes on El Ouahdi. Given his contract with Genk runs until 2028, acquiring him would require paying compensation. The probability of the Moroccan star moving to Russia is not 100%, especially considering Morocco`s recent success as a World Cup semi-finalist.
Looking at more probable moves, Zenit has already parted ways with Bakaev, Sutormin, and Chistyakov. To replace Wendel, they are reportedly inviting another Brazilian, Gerson, the Flamengo captain, valued at €25 million. However, two other high-profile potential transfers for Zenit fell through. Mirland Daku, the second-highest scorer in the league from Rubin, changed his mind at the last moment, reportedly due to changes in his personal contract and commission terms after initial agreement. Additionally, Maxim Osipenko, considered the best Russian defender in the league, is indeed leaving Rostov-on-Don, but ultimately chose Dynamo over Petersburg. He signed a three-year agreement with Dynamo on a 3+1 scheme. His buyout clause was around €3 million, with a salary exceeding €1.5 million per season at the new club. Former Zenit player Ivan Sergeev could potentially join Osipenko at Dynamo from Krylia Sovetov, but this transfer is still held up by an additional 50 million rubles requested by the Samara club. Another former Rostov player, Nikolai Komlichenko, is moving to Lokomotiv on a three-year contract, acquired for €2.8 million.
The new champions, Krasnodar, are also strengthening their squad, acquiring two Brazilians. While not widely known, they are seen as fitting perfectly into Murad Musaev`s playing model. Winger Gustavo Furtado was bought from Greek club Lamia for 450 thousand euros, while Oser`s captain, center-back Jubal, joined Krasnodar for free as a free agent.
CSKA, the best club of the spring season, has so far focused on loan players, with no major news beyond coaching changes. The potential transfer of Brazilian Alves is still only at the discussion stage.
The next season in Russian football will begin with the Super Cup match on July 12 between Krasnodar and CSKA – the new league champions and the new Cup winners. The next Russian Premier League championship is scheduled to start on July 18. The exact calendar for the opening rounds is expected to be released in the coming days.
