The ongoing saga surrounding Artem Dziuba’s career remains one of the hottest topics of the looming summer. In recent months, the forward has stepped away from Zenit’s main squad and has mostly appeared as a substitute, fueling widespread discussion about his next move. The chatter centers on a potential fourth consecutive title, and the rumors touch on new contracts with Zenit Saint Petersburg, the Serbian club Red Star, Turkish Fenerbahce, and several other teams, including a Russian championship club that has not been named.
Dzyuba’s contract with the blue-white-blue club runs through June, giving the striker time to reflect. Reports in the media suggest he has already declined approaches from Serbia, viewing the national championship as less appealing and showing a greater interest in continuing his career in Turkey.
The situation was a topic on the Match TV channel during the program There is a Theme. Host Artem Anisimov dialed a number he believed belonged to the attacker, only to be met by a voice that did not resemble Dziuba’s. The person answering answered all questions for the server.
– Artem, hello, I am Anton Anisimov from the There is a Theme program on Match TV. We are live. Artem, please tell me which club you will join next season. Where can we expect you to play?
The reply suggested a future that would be vivid and promising.
– And in what club will this be, and where exactly will he play?
– In which club he will be … perhaps in a chaotic, no-holds-barred arena, as one caller joked.
By the end of the program, the presenter stated that Zenit had indicated Dzyuba would not be staying with the team.
“Before we cut to a commercial, I should mention that our own researchers found out that Dzyuba changed his phone number and has done so repeatedly. It seems the person who spoke on air was not Dzyuba but someone who provided false information about his whereabouts,” Anisimov noted.
Shortly after, Match TV issued an apology to Dzyuba and anyone misled by the call. “There is much talk about Dziuba’s destination. Artem was asked directly, but the call did not come from him, and we cannot verify the information that was shared,” the channel stated.
Alexander Tashchin, the general producer of Match TV, also apologized for the incident.
“I want to apologize to Artem, FC Zenit, and all viewers who were misled by today’s broadcast. An internal review was conducted on the Telegram channel, and appropriate steps were taken, though the results were not made public,” Taschin said.
Anisimov later spoke again on the program and admitted that a mistake had occurred the previous day. He offered another apology to anyone who might have felt offended by the event. Interestingly, the host commented on the shared experience of negative attention facing both himself and Dziuba, suggesting they should stay united in facing criticism.
“I understand this could hurt and upset Dziuba. Artem and I do resemble each other in facing a lot of hate from critics. We will see which one of us is more disliked, yet we will not dwell on it. Peace, kindness, love, justice, and Russia’s victories remain our guiding principles.”
There was a sharp remark toward the end about direct contact, with a light-hearted demand for a real phone number so contact could be made. The showman asserted that there would be no more posturing from either side.
As for Dzyuba, he has yet to comment on the miscommunication. He is preparing for the season closer with Zenit Saint Petersburg, ahead of the final Russian Premier League match against Nizhny Novgorod on May 21. The outcome of this game would not decide the title, as Zenit had effectively clinched the championship months earlier.
In summary, the summer chatter around Artem Dziuba centers on his next destination and the shifting dynamics of his role at Zenit. The incident on the live broadcast added a layer of intrigue to the saga, but the public focus remains fixed on where the striker will play next and whether he will secure a fresh contract with a top club in Russia, Turkey, or beyond, as agencies and pundits continue to monitor every development.