- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Manchester City and Chelsea are watching Russian wonderkid Sergey Pinyaev closely though any move to the Premier League is likely to be complicated for the one-time Manchester United trialist.
HITC understands that, years after the teenager hit a stunning five goals in a friendly against Bari during his time on trial with Manchester United’s academy, interest from the biggest clubs in English football very much remains.
Sergey Pinyaev, who was pictured posing for photos with Paul Pogba during his time at Carrington back in 2020, is still on the Red Devils’ radar. The winger also has admirers down the road at Manchester City, and at London giants Chelsea.
But, as Chelsea themselves know all too well after trying and failing to bring Arsen Zakharyan to Stamford Bridge from Dynamo Moscow, Pinyaev’s suitors are likely to run into a number of obstacles.
Manchester City and Chelsea eye Sergey Pinyaev
With the Ukrainian conflict ongoing, we understand that it is unlikely the British government with sanction the purchase of a player based in Russia. Those similar issues could prevent Celtic or Rangers bringing in Eduard Spertsyan, the Armenian attacking midfielder who plies his trade for Krasnodar.
As a result, whoever wins the race – be it Man United, Man City or Chelsea – may look to use one of their so-called sister clubs in order to loan out Pinyaev until a time when he is permitted to begin his Premier League career.
Manchester City have made excellent use of their connections across the continent in recent years. Savio, for instance, is joining Pep Guardiola’s side in the summer from Troyes after a stellar loan spell at Girona. Both Troyes and Girona are part of the City Football Group.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have sent a number of talented youngsters to Patrick Vieira’s Strasbourg in the Clearlake era, including Angelo Gabriel. BlueCo, chaired by Todd Boehly, are in talks to add clubs based in Spain, France and Germany to their roster.
Liverpool and Newcastle have both also watched Pinyaev, and could have a few ‘sister clubs’ themselves come the summer. Ditto Manchester United, who may opt to loan the 19-year-old to the Ineos-owned Nice or Swiss outfit Lausanne Sport.
Likened to Cristiano Ronaldo
Pinyaev, now the youngest appearance maker and goalscorer in the history of the Russian national team, continues to blossom at Lokomotiv Moscow. The club’s sporting director, sporting director Dmitri Ulyanov, indicated last year that it may take a bid of £26 million to convince the capital city club to cash in on their prized asset.
HITC understands there is also interest in Pinyaev from Borussia Dortmund, Villarreal, Napoli and the newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Former Arsenal favourite Andriy Arshavin, perhaps the most talented Russian footballer of his generation, sees similarities between Pinyaev and a young Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I have said many times that (Pinyaev) has qualities. The main thing is still his speed. He flies like a rocket,” Arshavin tells Such Football on YouTube. “He understands when it is necessary to pass the ball
“For me, Sergey is Cristiano Ronaldo. The way he plays, his style, he looks like the Portuguese.”
Man United, we understand, were prevented from signing Pinyaev a few years back because they could not obtain a work permit. That would not be an issue in theory these days, however.