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Line Starts to Form for Bukharov
by Richard Farley
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Rubin striker Aleksandr Bukharov Photo rian.ru
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Aleksandr Bukharov's name is appearing in more transfer
rumors. While it is curious that one of the few under contract players
at Rubin is being rumored to leave, whispers are whispers. For a young
player second in the league in scoring who has broken into the national
team, it might be the best time for him to cash in.
If he elects to go, there are four clubs rumored to have interest.
His most likely destination is said to be Germany, where current Stuttgart
(and former Zenit) striker Pavel Progrebnyak may have opened a door to
the league. Two teams near the top of the Bundesliga, Werder Bremen and
Hamburger SV, are rumored to have interest. With an expected transfer
fee of ?12 million, the out-of-Europe Werder would be hard-pressed to
meet the evaluation despite recent sales and strong revenue streams. The
Hamburg rumor also deserves some skepticism, given their recent purchase
of Swedish U-21 star Marcus Berg to go with established attacking options
Mladen Petric and Paolo Guerrero, though the lanky Bukharov would provide
a unique option.
Sevilla FC (Spain) is also rumored to have interest, though that is undoubtedly
predicated on whether Brazilian Luis Fabiano stays. If Bukharov moves
to Sevilla in January, that would be a huge hint that Fabiano will be
sold, Alvaro Negredo could be back on this way to Real Madrid, or both.
Bukharov's game would be very good in Sevilla's system, but the club is
deep enough at striker that Bukharov would only be pursued if another
attacker was set to leave.
The final team mentioned in Genoa CFC (Italy). Genoa finished a strong
fifth in last season's Italian Seria A but has been unable to reach the
same heights early season. Part of that is a lack of strikers. Is Bukharov
were acquired, he would immediately become their best player up-top. While
that hints Genoa is the most logical destination, it is unclear how good
a fit the Italian game is for Bukharov. Additionally, in a league where
teams are struggling financially, Genoa is no exception. The club spent
this offseason but only as a result of their sales of Thiago Motta and
Diego Milito to Internazionale Milano. Genoa may need to sell again before
spending on a player like Bukharov.
Russian
Football Now, November 7th, 2009
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