Zenit St. Petersburg’s Mitrofanov has hinted at new signings at Petrovsky stadium during the upcoming summer transfer window
Zenit St. Petersburg general director, Maxim Mitrofanov, has
denied the reports linking FC Rostov’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Igor-Smolnikov-c16752 to the St. Petersburg club this summer.
Media reports in Russia suggest that the Meshki are interested in signing the 23-year-old right-back after Luciano Spalletti, the manager, has hinted at new signings at the Russian outfit, earlier this month.
If speculations are to be believed Zenit are set to terminate contract with Domenico Criscito, for whom they paid reportedly 12 million Euros to Genoa last year, by mutual consent. The Meshki are planning to sell the Italian defender
this summer after Criscito was found guilty in a match fixing scandal.
As a result, the Bomzhi are searching for a replacement for the former Juventus player.
However, Mitrofanov has rebuffed the reports, suggesting that Zenit have approached the Selmashi regarding a possible transfer for their prized asset, insisting that the Russian giants are not interested in signing Smolnikov at
the moment.
“Zenit are not negotiating for a transfer with Rostov. We have shown an interest to sign him during winter but now we do not want him.” The director general was quoted as saying.
Mitrofanov, meanwhile, has confirmed that the St. Petersburg club are planning to strengthen the structure of the club in the upcoming summer transfer window.
“The club will enter the transfer market. We are keeping an eye on the possible transfer targets for quite some time. We are planning to strengthen some positions. Some players are interested to join us but they are facing some
problems in making a move due to their respective clubs. But we are working hard and let’s see what happens next.” The 50-year-old concluded.
Mitrofanov, in the meanwhile, has ruled out any possibility of signing Lokomotiv Moscow’s Dennis Glushakov this summer after admitting that they are not interested in signing a player who is away with the Russian national team
at Euro 2012.
Reports in Russia claim that Zenit are keeping tabs on Napoli’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ezequiel-Lavezzi-c13073 and Fiorentina’s Juan Manual Vargas respectively.
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