Former Lokomotiv Moscow CEO Ilya Gerkus has said he knows for a fact that Tottenham Hotspur made an approach to sign Zenit St Petersburg striker Artem Dzyuba in January.
Dzyuba has come into his own in the last couple of seasons for Zenit, with his ability to score goals as well as create chances for others.
He has had an extremely impressive season, bagging fifteen goals and twelve assists in all competitions (transfermarkt.com).
The 31-year-old, who is known for his strength and his ability in the air, previously claimed that Tottenham made an approach to sign him in January but that Zenit were not interested in a deal (Russia 24 as relayed by Daily Mail).
He insisted that it was only Zenit’s reluctance to sell that stopped the experienced striker from moving to North London.
As quoted by Tribal Football, the former Lokomotiv chief said: “I know this is not bulls***. I know his agent, the man who did this.
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“I know what Mourinho wanted Dzyuba. I know this for sure.
“Mourinho knows who Dzyuba is. He worked at the World Cup in Russia as a commentator on Russia Today and discussed, among other things, the Russian team. I think he knows very well the composition of the Russian team.
“I do not know all the details, but there was an option. Why did Jose need Dzyuba? Score goals, win matches. I think Artem would have scored 10 goals in a season, everyone would have been happy.
“Why not let him go? Zenit needed him. The club wants to win titles.”
Spurs Web Opinion
It is entirely possible that we made an approach for Dzyuba during the January transfer window as we were desperate for reinforcements following the injury to Harry Kane. If we had signed the Russian, it would have been a panic buy.
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