Following Ilić's precepts: what high-profile transfers are expected at RPL clubs

The transfer window will open in Russia on January 23, but already now there are enough rumors and news about the interest of RPL teams in certain players. Izvestia reports on what positions top clubs should strengthen in winter and possible candidates for these roles.

"Krasnodar" (39 points)

Positions for strengthening: winger, center back, left back.

In recent years, Krasnodar has been unstable in the spring section of the championship. Last season was especially telling, when the Bulls squandered the advantage gained by winter. Now it's important for the club not to make the same mistake, because there is no gap from Zenit, and the calendar ahead is tough.

The team's long-standing problem is the flanks of the attack. Top scorer Cordoba consistently lacks quality support from the flanks. Yes, there are good Victor Sa and Joao Batchi, but they do not pull on the role of leaders, so Krasnodar is in search of reinforcements for these positions. Recently, a lot has been written about Brazilian Wesley from Internacional. 25 years old, can play as a "ten", and on the flanks or even perform a center-forward. Statistics are favorable - 13 goals and 2 assists in 48 matches of the season. Apparently, this is the number one option for reinforcement. A budget alternative is 29-year-old Ademir from Bahia, about whose interest is also written.

The defense also needs strengthening - or rather, quality rotation. The Tormena-Costa pair makes a good impression, but the substitutes are only Caio and young Arutyunyan, who is not trusted this season. And Tormena is being offered to Trabzonspor. Therefore, Krasnodar are rumored to want to sign a defender with a Russian passport - there is reported interest in Maxim Osipenko from Rostov and Valentin Paltsev from Dinamo Makhachkala.

Also Lucas Olase needs an understudy on the left flank of the defense. While the Uruguayan is replaced by Sergei Petrov, but he is already 34, plus he is more used to playing on the right. However, so far there is no news about a possible newcomer for this position.

"Zenit (39 points)

Positions for strengthening: edge defender.

The champion has had problems with defense this season. Yes, together with Krasnodar they conceded the least in the RPL (12 goals each), but that's the merit of Evgeny Latyshonk, the best goalkeeper of this campaign in terms of percentage of deflected shots (85.7). Sergei Semak has an extensive set of centerbacks at his disposal, but he has not yet been able to create a stable bunch. In addition, Rodrigao is likely to leave the team soon. Vanya Drkusic's lease has been terminated early for a reason, so it's unlikely that Zenit will buy another player for the center of defense.

According to rumors, St. Petersburg failed to reach an agreement with Argentine Rasing on the transfer of right-back Gaston Martirena. There is a hint of a desire to strengthen this position. According to rumors, in the sphere of interest of Zenit is Alexander Siljanov from Loko, who just can play both in the center and on the flank.

The work of the Blue and White Blues on the market will largely depend on whether Wendel and Claudinho will remain in the team. The new wave of rumors again generates talk about their possible departure to Brazil. If true, Zenit will need a quality replacement. However, departures are still unlikely.

"Spartak (37 points)

Positions to strengthen: striker, central midfielder, winger, right-back.

Apparently, Spartak are planning to have an active transfer window and bring in Stankovic for serious reinforcements. However, before that, it would be good to clean the squad of players who do not make the squad - in this context, the names of Ignatov, Khlusevich, Selikhov, Abena, Zinkovskiy and Nicholson have surfaced. And with Willian Jose, as they assure in Brazil, has already terminated the contract.

If Shamar leaves, the Red-Whites will definitely need a forward to replace Ugalde. The Costa Rican is in good shape, but he needs to rest. And no one is immune to injuries. Recently, a lot has been written about the possible transfer of River Plate striker Pablo Solari. His advantage is that he can play in any position in the attack - as a center-forward, and on one of the flanks. Probably, it is the Argentine who is the priority on the market.

Quincy Promes may also return if he is allowed to leave the UAE. In any case, Spartak need to pump up the competition on the attacking flanks, especially the left winger.

If Aleksandr Selikhov leaves the team, the Red-Whites will surely look for a new goalkeeper. David Volk from Dinamo Makhachkala and Ilya Pomazun, who was suspended by Marko Nikolic for saying he might move to Spartak, are rumored to be under consideration.

Plus possible reinforcement on the flank of the defense, especially if Daniil Hlusevic leaves the club. Earlier it was reported about the interest in Osasuna's left-back Alber Bretones. They also write about the possible transfer of Braga's support player Rodrigo Salazar. But they will have to pay a lot (Transfermarkt estimates the 25-year-old Uruguayan at €16 million), and against the backdrop of the well performing Umyarov-Martins link-up, this purchase doesn't seem to be a priority. Although if Prutsev or Zobnin leave Spartak, the replacement is more than adequate.

Ivan Ilic from Torino could be the main star newcomer. The possible transfer of the 23-year-old Serbian is estimated at €25 million. The rumors were fueled by the unexpected absence in the application form for the last match. Coach Paolo Vanoli explained it by injury.

"Dinamo (35 points)

Positions for strengthening: central midfielder, edge defender.

So far this winter they write mainly about Bitello, who is very much wanted to return to his homeland "Botafogo". If the transfer takes place, the absolute priority for Dynamo will be to find a replacement. Luis Chavez can also leave, the club also counts on him and will be ready to sell him only for big money.

Although in any case Dynamo are thinking about strengthening the center of the pitch. Diego Laxalt will soon be 32, he has been unstable lately, and that's why there is a serious interest in Danil Glebov from Rostov. They will have to shell out a lot of money for the transfer - Transfermarkt estimates the 25-year-old center back at €8 million, but it will be a quality reinforcement. Especially considering that Kutitskiy and Gagnidze can't compete for a place in the starting lineup.

In the context of Dynamo, the name of Daniil Hlusevic, who is rumored to be considering leaving Spartak due to lack of game practice, also comes up. It is not certain that he will be able to break into the core, but he would come in handy to strengthen the competition on the flanks of the defense. Dasa and Skopintsev are doing well so far, but they don't have powerful understudies for the position, Lichka often uses nominal center backs Kutitsky and Fernandez.

"Lokomotiv (35 points)

Positions for strengthening: central midfielder, winger, left defender.

"Lokomotiv" is conceding too much this season, so strengthening the defense seems to be the most logical step. But so far, only 24-year-old Fenerbahce left-back Levent Merjan, whose transfer is valued at €2.3 million, has been linked with a move to Lokomotiv.

According to rumors, Loko are going to strengthen the supporting zone, as they are not very satisfied with the performance of Artem Timofeev, who was signed in the summer. The names of Spartak Moscow's Danil Prutsev, Kirill Kravtsov from Sochi and Stefan Lonchar from Akron have been mentioned.

Anton Zinkovskiy, who is not in Spartak's main squad, could also move to Cherkizovo, but it's hard to say if this transfer could be called a strengthening. Perhaps it would be more logical to sign Lechi Sadullayev from Akhmat - however, Zenit have also shown interest in him, so we'll have to make a serious effort here.

CSKA (31 points)

Positions for strengthening: center forward, winger.

The Army Men haven't been throwing money around on the market for a long time, but there are a couple positions that are definitely worth strengthening. The most important one is attack, as goals are still hard to come by for Nikolic's team.

After the departure of Fedor Chalov, CSKA can't find a quality newcomer to fill his position. Tamerlan Musaev makes a nice impression, but he won't be able to do it alone, and a quality replacement is needed. Newcomers Guarirapa, Coyte and Shumansky currently have zero goals in the RPL, and that's a problem that needs to be solved.

It was recently reported that CSKA are showing serious interest in 24-year-old Red Bull Bragantino striker Alerrandro, who is the top scorer in the Brazilian Serie A. True, they will have to fight for him with Mexico's Cruz Azul. Miguel Borja, an Argentine who has not been in River Plate's starting lineup lately, is also rumored to be on the radar. They also write about his teammate Pablo Solari, but there will have to withstand serious competition at least from Spartak. There is also 22-year-old Ezequiel Ceballos from Boca Juniors, but he is more of a wing player. In any case, CSKA needs fresh blood in the attack, and it is very likely that the Army Men will find an interesting newcomer in Latin America this winter.