Dmitry Bulykin, a former member of the Russian national team, announced that midfielder Nair Tiknizyan will move from Lokomotiv Moscow to Zenit St. Petersburg. He emphasized that this transfer should not diminish the strength of Lokomotiv, suggesting the club will adapt and continue to compete at a high level in the second half of the season. His remarks align with the practical perspective expressed by many onlookers within the Russian football community, reinforcing a belief that Zenit gains while Lokomotiv remains robust, capable of recalibrating with fresh talent and new energy, as reported by Sports Express.
“This isn’t a major setback for Lokomotiv,” Bulykin noted. “The club will identify a suitable replacement for Nair. There is time, and younger players are eager to prove themselves. Lokomotiv can still perform well in the latter portion of the campaign with a thoughtful transition and a clear plan for bringing in new options.”
Tiknizyan joined CSKA in the summer of 2021, a team where he developed before moving to Lokomotiv. In the current season, he has appeared in 16 Russian Premier League matches, contributing six goals and two assists, a tally that underscores his impact in the forward-facing midfielder role and his ability to influence matches with decisive moments.
The player has represented Russia at the youth level and was part of the squad for the 2020 European Championship. In the spring season, he made his debut for Armenian national team duty in the 2024 European Championship qualifying rounds, appearing in three matches and scoring once, a sign of his growing international experience and versatility across national teams.
Lokomotiv currently sits fourth in the Russian Premier League after 18 rounds, with 31 points, while Zenit occupies the runner-up position with 36 points, illustrating a league landscape where the transfer could shift some tactical dynamics and competitive balance between the two clubs as the season heads toward the business end.
Former journalist Ivan Karpov commented on the terms under which Tiknizyan’s contract with Zenit could be finalized, highlighting that negotiations would hinge on alignment of sporting objectives, financial considerations, and the broader squad-building strategy at Zenit. His observations reflect the cautious but hopeful tone that often accompanies midseason player movements when both the selling and buying clubs aim to preserve momentum and maximize value for the squad and its supporters. These discussions, while private, are part of a broader pattern in top-tier Russian football where midseason adjustments are leveraged to refresh lineups and sustain competitive edge as the calendar turns.