Luka Jovic, the former Real Madrid forward who is currently on the books at AC Milan, remains at the center of transfer talk as Lokomotiv Moscow reportedly shows interest. The discussions point to a potential winter move as the Russian club seeks reinforcements during a busy recruitment phase. Milan’s key forward has spent this season with Milan but has seen limited playing time, sparking questions about his next chapter and whether a new challenge awaits him in Russia.
Alongside this, Lokomotiv Moscow is described as pursuing Marin Pongracic from Lecce. Pongracic, a defender who has featured prominently for his clubs this season, could join to bolster the backline for the remainder of the campaign. The bid for Pongracic signals Lokomotiv’s aim to add versatile cover across defense, a priority the club has emphasized for the winter period.
A source within the league reinforced Lokomotiv’s plan to recruit during the winter window, with a focus on players from Italy and the Balkan region. This strategy reflects a broader pattern seen in recent windows where Russian clubs look abroad for experienced professionals who can adapt quickly to the league’s demands and style of play.
Through this season, Jovic has appeared in seven matches for Milan but has yet to open his goals tally. Pongracic has made 14 appearances without a standout impact, underscoring why Lokomotiv is seeking to refresh both attacking and defensive options as they push to climb the Russian Premier League standings. Lokomotiv sits seventh with 24 points, highlighting the need for immediate contributions to gain ground on the leaders over the remainder of the season.
On a broader note, the Russian football landscape has seen notable shifts since spring 2022. That year, FIFA and UEFA sanctioned Russia, resulting in the suspension of the national team and its clubs from competitions under those bodies. Since then, Russian teams have competed mainly in friendlies or non-sanctioned events, affecting player movements, match preparation, and international exposure as clubs navigate the post-sanction era. This context helps shape transfer activity, with patterns of movement reflecting the updated regulatory environment and the need for squads to stay competitive within those rules.
Meanwhile, lighter moments have peppered the transfer chatter as well. In a separate exchange, Artem Dzyuba publicly dismissed rumors of friction with Sergei Pinyaev, choosing to focus on the football challenges ahead. The episode serves as a reminder that even in the high-stakes world of winter deals, players and clubs often exchange humor or reassurance to ease tension and maintain locker room morale.