Spartak Moscow have distanced themselves from reports linking Rangers’ Glen Kamara with a summer move to Russia, via Championat.
The two-legged debacle against Malmo not only denied Rangers a chance to go toe to toe with Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona or Manchester City, it also saw a £30 million windfall slip through Steven Gerrard’s fingers.
And, without the allure of elite-level European football at Ibrox, serious questions are suddenly being asked about the futures of Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent and co with just two weeks of the transfer window remaining.
If a Porto or Leeds United come calling before the end of this month, would Gerrard be able to convince Rangers’ coveted players to stay put with Champions League or Premier League football on offer elsewhere?
The vultures are circling Finland international Kamara, too, with 90Min reporting a host of clubs from south of the border are smelling blood, looking to pick the bones from Rangers’ UCL corpse.
Spartak sink Rangers’ Glen Kamara rumours
The elegant 25-year-old may feel he has unfinished business in England, having failed to make a first-team appearance for Arsenal before joining Dundee in 2017.
But while the likes of Newcastle and West Ham United may still come calling, Spartak Moscow have moved to rubbish speculation suggesting Kamara would swap Glasgow for Moscow this month.
“Spartak is not interested in Glen Kamara and, moreover, does not negotiate with him or with his representatives,” says spokesman Dmitry Zelenov.
According to Zarema Salikhova, the outspoken wife of Spartak owner Leonid Fedun, Kamara was keen on a move to the Russian Premier League in summer 2020.
Emphasis on the ‘was’ – past tense.
“The footballer was ready to move,” Salikhova said.
“In the course of negotiations, the price was brought down to five million. His family live in Finland. He really wanted to play closer to home.
“I think he would have strengthened Spartak.”
Spartak will be playing Europa League football in 2020/21 – so, too, will Rangers as they will surely overcome Armenian outfit FC Alashkert.
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