St. Petersburg Zenit did not launch another bid for Spartak Moscow forward Alexander Sobolev, according to information reported by Sports Express. The outlet notes that the rumor of a new offer in the range of 10 million to 12 million euros is not accurate, and no fresh bid has been received by Spartak from Zenit or any other club. This clarification comes as part of ongoing speculation surrounding Sobolev’s future after a turbulent spell of transfer talk during the off-season.
Sobolev’s absence from Spartak’s lineup followed the first round clash of the current Russian Premier League season, a 0–2 defeat to Orenburg. Several outlets quoted sources close to the team who indicated that Sobolev had informed head coach Dejan Stankovic of his desire to move on. This news arrived amid a broader discussion about Sobolev’s role at Spartak and his evolving career trajectory within Russian football.
The forward has been with Spartak since 2020, contributing over multiple campaigns. In total, he has appeared in 139 matches for the club, tallying 58 goals and providing 32 assists. His contract with Spartak remains valid through the summer of 2026, a detail that continues to influence any potential negotiations about his future. This contract length has been described by insiders as a stabilizing factor for the player as well as the club amid lingering transfer talk.
In the most recent completed Russian Championship season, Sobolev took the field in 27 matches, scoring five goals. Rumors suggested that Zenit might have identified Sobolev as a potential centerpiece for their attacking plans during the off-season; however, Spartak reportedly increased the asking price at a late stage, effectively pricing Zenit out of a deal and cooling immediate transfer prospects. The dynamics of this situation reflect the broader market where value assessments and timing often determine whether a move materializes, even when a club appears to be a natural fit on paper.
It is worth noting a separate, unrelated social-media incident involving Alexandra Soboleva. Reports claim she faced a ban related to comments on Twitch about Zenit and the club’s housing status for their supporters; these remarks added an additional layer of controversy surrounding public perception as Sobolev’s transfer situation unfolded. Such episodes illustrate how off-field narratives can intersect with on-field transfer talk, shaping media coverage and fan sentiment in equal measure.
As the season progresses, observers will watch how Spartak navigates the Sobolev situation, balancing player ambitions with the club’s strategic needs and financial considerations. The club’s leadership has to weigh long-term development against short-term competitive pressure, particularly as Sobolev approaches the latter stages of his current contract. For Zenit and other interested parties, the goal remains clear: evaluate Sobolev’s fit within their tactical framework, his market value, and the likelihood of a mutually beneficial agreement that respects both the player’s aspirations and the club’s competitive calculus. In the end, the trajectory of Sobolev’s career will be shaped by how well his current club preserves his value while remaining open to prudent, well-timed negotiations that align with his professional goals and the league’s evolving landscape, as reported by industry insiders and media outlets such as Sports Express.[Source: Sports Express]