Zenit St. Petersburg forward Mateo Cassierra could move to Saudi club Al-Ittihad, a development reported by journalist Julian Capera in his latest piece. The chatter around a potential transfer adds another layer to the ongoing off-season drama in the Saudi Pro League, where big-name clubs are reshaping rosters and scouting paths abroad. Capera’s article situates Cassierra as a notable target for the defending champions as they map out contingency plans ahead of the new campaign. excitement.
According to Capera, Al-Ittihad is looking at the 26-year-old Colombian striker as a possible replacement for Karim Benzema, whose training schedule was paused amid the breakdown of contract talks after a holiday. The report notes that Marcelo Gallardo, the team’s head coach, has shown a personal interest in Cassierra and could oversee the final stages of any negotiations. This underscores Al-Ittihad’s intent to maintain a high level of attacking threat while navigating the evolving dynamics of player availability and salary structures in top-tier football.
Cassierra has enjoyed productive form, tallying 14 goals in the current season and earning the distinction of being among the top scorers in the Russian Premier League (RPL). This scoring pedigree places him in the spotlight as a versatile forward capable of contributing in multiple tactical setups, which is precisely what Al-Ittihad is reportedly seeking to bolster ahead of key domestic and continental clashes. The move would also emphasize the league’s growing attractiveness to South American strikers who have proven their ability to adapt to varied footballing styles and conditions.
In the Russian Premier League season’s early stages, Zenit St. Petersburg found themselves in a strong position, trailing league leaders Krasnodar by a couple of points. Sergei Semak’s squad held second place with 36 points as the campaign progressed toward the 19th round. This context matters because it frames Cassierra’s recent performance within a competitive environment that has sharpened his tactical awareness and goal-scoring instincts. For Zenit, any potential sale would be weighed against the club’s broader strategic goals and the need to maintain a competitive edge both at home and in European competition.
As the new round of fixtures approaches, the St. Petersburg club is gearing up to host Moscow Spartak in what promises to be a charged encounter. The exact date and kickoff time remained unconfirmed at the time Capera filed his report, but the fixture is already on the radar of fans and analysts who are keen to see how Zenit responds to the evolving transfer picture. The match also serves as a tangible benchmark for Cassierra’s potential profile change, should a move to Al-Ittihad or another club gain traction in the coming weeks. The transfer window’s dynamics—including negotiations, medicals, and contract terms—will shape the final outcome, but for now, the focus remains on performance and preparation on the pitch.
Earlier, Spartak Moscow released its schedule for winter training camps, a reminder that the Russian calendar continues to produce meaningful tempo and development opportunities for players who could come into sharper form before clubs address transfer needs. For Cassierra, a potential transition would involve balancing the demands of a new league, a different style of play, and the responsibilities of contributing to a championship-minded squad in Saudi Arabia, where expectations for immediate impact are high. Such a move would also reflect the broader trend of top clubs reassessing forward lines in response to injuries, form fluctuations, and the financial realities of modern football, all while maintaining a competitive edge in domestic leagues and regional tournaments. (Capera)