Russian giants Rubin Kazan are preparing for life without Leeds United target Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, manager Leonid Slutsky has admitted to Sportbox.
Things have gone quiet in the last couple of weeks but, with two months of the transfer window remaining, there are a few twists and turns still to come.
The Georgia international, who is valued at £20 million and nearly joined Bayern Munich not so long ago, caught the eye over in Russia with his searing pace and pin-point crossing ability.
And Rubin Kazan are under no illusions – their director of football insisted that Kvaratskhelia will be allowed to leave if he receives an offer he cannot refuse.
Such an offer does not appear to have arrived so far, however, with Leeds yet to turn their initial interest into anything more serious.
But Slutsky, the former Russia, CSKA Moscow and Hull City coach, is keen to ensure that Rubin Kazan are fully prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Will Leeds United still sign Kvicha Kvaratskhelia?
“We are preparing options both with and without Kvaratskhelia,” said Slutsky; a true ‘character’ in a game full of them.
“It is not clear from his work that this situation (the transfer speculation) affects him.”
It is not certain yet where Kvaratskhelia fits into Marcelo Bielsa’s plans.
Jack Harrison and Raphinha have the wide roles nailed down and £20 million is a lot to pay for a man who would hardly be guaranteed a starting role at Elland Road.
Perhaps Bielsa feels that Kvaratskhelia, a hard-working and versatile footballer, can adapt to a new-look, left-back role.
It is not as if the full-backs do that much defending in the Premier League’s most adventurous team, after all, as Gianni Alioski’s heat map would attest to.
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