Alexander Tarkhanov, the former head coach of CSKA, Krylya Sovetov, and Ural, shared reflections on the potential move of Twente’s striker Manfred Ugalde to Spartak Moscow, noting the transfer would carry significant weight for the club. His comments were reported by vprognosis in a piece that examined how such a signing might reshape Spartak’s attacking options.
Tarkhanov remarked that any major recruitment would carry substantial impact for Spartak, explaining that the club often targets players who are not widely known to local fans. He referenced Ugalde as an example, emphasizing that he first heard of the striker in connection with a possible move to Spartak. Because of this, Tarkhanov did not anticipate a transfer avalanche or a dramatic, high-profile arrival that would dominate headlines. The suggestion is that Spartak’s strategy could involve quietly strengthening the squad with lesser-known talents who offer clear practical value on the field. This nuanced view aligns with a broader pattern in Russian football where clubs scout from emerging markets and rely on under-the-radar signings to optimize the squad without triggering a media storm, according to vprognosis.
Academically speaking, Ugalde appeared in 25 games across all competitions for Twente during the current campaign, contributing nine goals and seven assists. The numbers reflect a forward who can influence both scoring and playmaking, a profile that often attracts attention from big clubs seeking versatile threat options. His performance data is a key point in evaluating whether Spartak’s interest could translate into meaningful on-field impact as the squad seeks to climb higher in the table.
Looking back at Spartak’s recent transfer activity, the club sent two forwards on loan during the summer of 2023, Keith Balde and Shamar Nicholson, while Alexander Sobolev continued to be the primary striker for the majority of the season. Such moves illustrate Spartak’s ongoing balancing act between developing young talent, maintaining a reliable goal source, and managing squad depth ahead of a demanding schedule in the Russian Premier League and domestic cup competitions.
In the current league landscape, Krasnodar held the lead at the winter break with 38 points, while Spartak stood fifth with 30 points. The Russian Premier League was poised to resume in March for the second half of the season, with Spartak having recently defeated Zenit St. Petersburg in the 19th round and preparing for an away match in St. Petersburg. This context matters because it frames any potential signing like Ugalde within the club’s broader objective of narrowing the points gap at the top and sustaining momentum through a competitive schedule, a topic frequently discussed by analysts and fans alike.
Another note from insiders indicated that a former representative of Jorge Abascal affirmed the belief that the coaching role at Spartak is fully dedicated, reinforcing the notion of a stable leadership foundation as the club considers its long-term plans. Such statements contribute to the overall mood around the team as it weighs how new acquisitions might fit into a system directed by trusted leadership and clear tactical ambitions.