Zenit St Petersburg coach Sergei Semak admits that Yuri Alberto wants to leave the Russian champions amid interest from Premier League outfit West Ham United, speaking via GZH Colorado.
Only five months ago, Zenit paid £17 million to sign a highly-rated, up-and-coming centre-forward from Brazilian giants Internacional.
But, after scoring six goals and setting up four more in just 15 matches over in Russia, Alberto is once again clearing out his locker and dusting off his passport. Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it seems the one-time Arsenal and Barcelona target is keen to get out while he can with UOL reporting that a striker-searching West Ham side have entered the race.
“Now, the player’s priority is to play at another club for a while,” admits Semak. “We respect each player’s decision. Everything is being negotiated.
“Of course, he will be missed. The situation is changing very quickly.”
Can West Ham land Zenit striker Yuri Alberto?
Zenit, it seems, are unlikely to stand in Alberto’s way. Especially with Mateo Cassierra joining from RPL rivals Sochi in a £4 million deal, the Colombian looking every inch a ready-made replacement.
Cassierra’s agent confirmed on Sunday that a move to the Gazprom Arena is on the verge of being completed.
As things stand, however, West Ham appear to be trailing in Corinthians’ wake as they look to rescue Alberto from Russian soil.
According to ESPN, Corinthians should sign Alberto on an initial loan-to-buy deal, with negotiations reaching an advanced stage over the weekend.
“Yuri Alberto is a striker that, for me, is sensational,” says club president Duilio Monteiro Alves.
“I have no doubt that he would fit in any club in the world. He is 21 years old, he is an excellent player. Of course we want him. We saw an opportunity, we are chasing it and trying to bring improvements to the team.”
Alberto scored 19 times in a breakthrough 2021 campaign in Brazil, and will be hoping to recapture that form ahead of the Qatar World Cup.
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