Newcastle United reportedly want Gamit Agalarov but former Premier League boss Harry Redknapp believes the Russia U21 star would be a ‘very risky’ signing, speaking to RB Sport.
No one in the whole of Russian football has scored as many goals this season as Agalarov.
And his tally of 18 goals in just 24 starts is made all the more eye-catching when you consider that his current employers – FC Ufa – are just one point off the bottom of the table.
According to Sport24, Newcastle looked at 21-year-old Agalarov during the January transfer window, though the newly-minted Magpies are yet to renew their interest heading into what could be a busy summer at St James’ Park.
Either way, Redknapp fears that Agalarov – given his inexperience and the difficult situation facing Russian athletes during the Ukraine situation – is too much of a risk for a Newcastle side under serious pressure to turn all that cash into quality.
Gamit Agalarov to Newcastle United?
“Agalarov? I have no idea who he is. Never heard of him. These kind of rumours are like b*******,” the former Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton coach quips.
“Given the current situation with Russian athletes, I’m not sure that an English club can, in principle, be allowed to bring a player from Russia. It will be difficult. I don’t really believe (this could happen).
“A lot of money has come in at Newcastle. There is no doubt that they will spend serious sums in the summer. But I believe that, next season, they will struggle to gain a foothold in the top six.
“And signing Agalarov would be a very risky move for Newcastle.”
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Ural’s general director admitted this week that there was indeed Premier League interest in his star man during the winter window. Shamil Gazizov also adds that the relegation-threatened side wil not stand in Agalarov’s way if he is given the opportunity to join a club in one of Europe’s major leagues over the summer.
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