Zenit end 31.5m Nani pursuit after record Hulk & Witsel swoop

EXCLUSIVE
By Greg Stobart

Zenit St Petersburgare expected to drop their interest inManchester United winger Nani after the Russian club signedHulk fromPorto andAxel Witsel fromBenfica for a combined 80 million.

Zenit coach Luciano Spalletti spoke publicly earlier this month about his desire to sign Nani, who demanded showdown talks with United over his future at Old Trafford last week after slipping down the pecking order because of growing competition for wide roles at the club.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is understood to have given serious consideration to cashing in on the 31.5m-rated winger, although Nani is ready to demand a 6.3m pay-off to quit the club with talks over a new contract at a stalemate.

Former Manchester City winger Georgi Kinkladze, now a Moscow-based agent, played a key role in Zenits pursuit of Nani but the 25-year-old but the huge double move announced on Monday now makes a deal highly unlikely.

Zenit, winners of two consecutive Russian league titles, demonstrated their ambition and resources by bringing Hulk and Witsel to the club on five-year contracts, beating off competition from a number of European clubs.

Although Nani will stay at United until at least January, his future remains in doubt as he enters the final two years of his contract.

Ferguson has strengthened his attacking options by signing Robin van Persie, Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell this summer, which could be ominous for Nanis long-term future.

He started the Premier League opener against Everton but was left out of the squad completely to play Fulham, before featuring as a second-half substitute in Sundays win over Southampton.

Asked about his interest in Nani earlier this month, Spaletti said: Are we interested in Hulk and Nani? Yes we are, Spalletti said. Everything's going to depend on how much they cost.

Th ere are three more players who we're holding negotiations with besides Nani and Hulk, but I won't name them. But if you want one more name, it's Afellay.

Follow Greg Stobart on

Russia - Northern Ireland Betting Preview: Expect a baptism of fire for Michael O'Neill

Northern Irelands World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign marks the beginning of a new era under Michael ONeill, and the former Shamrock Rovers boss could not have asked for a more difficult first competitive game in charge.

The Green and White Army make the daunting trip to Russia on Friday, who themselves are beginning life under new boss Fabio Capello.

The hosts have only lost three of their last 52 World and European Cup qualifiers on home soil, and are overwhelming 2/9 (1.22) favourites with Paddy Power to collect all three points on Friday.

With just one win in their last 13 competitive matches, it would take quite some effort for ONeill to turn Northern Irelands fortunes around and achieve his maiden win at the first att empt, at odds of 12/1 (13.00).

Republic of Ireland achieved an impressive 0-0 draw in Russia during their successful Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, and their neighbours would be delighted to repeat that feat in this match.

You can get odds of 5/1 (6.00) on Northern Ireland picking up a priceless point at the Stadion Lokomotiv, which would really give themselves something to build on going forwards.

Although they impressed many neutrals with some free-flowing attacking play during the summers European Championship, Russias place in Ukraine and Poland was largely secured on the back of their resolute defensive record.

The Sbornaya conceded just four goals in their 10 qualifying matches, keeping seven clean sheets in the process.

With the appointment of the canny Capello sure to strengthen this miserly streak, the visitors will struggle for goals here, particularly as they have failed to score in four of their last five away from home.

With that in mind, a bet on Russia to win to nil seems particularly safe, and is available at tempting 8/11 (1.73) odds.

Although Euro 2012 my have ultimately ended in premature disappointment for Russia, one man certainly managed to make a name for himself in his short stint in the spotlight.

Alan Dzagoev bagged three goals in three games during the tournament, and has since scored the first goal of the Capello era in a friendly against the Cote d'Ivoire.

He has now opened the scoring in three of Russia last four matches, so is certainly worth backing at 7/2 (4.50) to do just that against their modest visitors.


Sign up with Paddy Power for up to 250 in free bets and back Al's selections for this game

Al Hain-Cole is a Liverpool fan, experienced tipster and avid follower of European football. He specialises in accumulators and if you would like to read more from Al you can follow him on Twitter here.

Follow GoalBetting on

World Cup Treble: Back Belgium, Switzerland & Russia to top their groups

lympic Accumulator - Matchdayne

Many have predicted Belgium will be the next big thing in international football for some time and its easy to see why. The list of players is staggering and more are coming to the fore all the time. With Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen and Jan Vertonghen in defence and then Marouane Fellaini, Eden Hazard and Axel Witsel further forward, there are options all over the park.

But the results have been largely disappointing and that has hampered their seeding Belgium have been handed a tough draw for World Cup qualifying alongside Croatia, Serbia, Scotland, Wales and Macedonia. Its arguably the group with the best 'second-tier' teams, and that means Marc Wilmots' side must be on their game right from the outset.

Theres every reason to expect that to be the case. Euro 2012 qualifying came too soon for some of these players but with Kompany leading the way there is an awareness that this is their big opportunity and it would be a surprise if they blow it. Theyre the most talented team in Group A and if their stars show the sort of determination they have done at club level theyre a good bet to top the table.


After appearing at four major tournaments in a row, Switzerland missed out on Euro 2012 as coach Ottmar Hitzfeld sets about rebuilding a reliable but ageing squad with a talented group of youngsters. Switzerland won the Under-17 World Cup in 2009 and reached the final of the Under-21 European championship in 2011 and with Xherdan Shaqiri in their midst, there is quality at Hitzfelds disposal.

A group that includes Norway, Sloveni a, Cyprus, Albania and Iceland looks very manageable for the Swiss and with this squad of players only likely to get better, it would be something of a surprise if they fail to at least qualify. With an odds-against price available for them to win the group, that should be very tempting when their biggest threat is a far more limited Norwegian outfit.


Fabio Capellos spell in charge of England may have ended farcically and the Italian won few plaudits for his handling of the team at the 2010 World Cup but its worth remembering the Three Lions qualified for that tournament in style. Capello is now in charge of a Russia side that showed real promise at Euro 2012 before being dumped out in a major upset at the hands of Greece in the final group game.

Capello has a good blend of youth and experience in the Russia squad with Alan Dzagoev likely to be a prominent figure capable of going from strength. The only real threat in a fairly straightforwar d group is Portugal and while they enjoyed a better Euros and count Cristiano Ronaldo amongst their ranks, it should be noted that the Iberian side have struggled in qualifying before. Russia will fancy their chances of winning this group.


Adam Bate is a professional freelance journalist who specialises in football and betting. He is editor of GhostGoal which can be found here - you can also follow Adam on

I wanted a new challenge, says new Zenit signing Axel Witsel

Former Benfica midfielder Axel Witsel has defended his big money move to Zenit St Petersburg by insisting that he "wanted a new challenge".

The 23-year-old was linked to a host of major clubs during the summer including Real Madrid, Roma and Manchester City. However, a deal never materialised and he has now ended up with the Russian outfit.

"This is a very ambitious club. I wanted a new challenge and Zenit showed the greatest desire to sign me," he revealed.

The promising star then justified his decision, insisting that the Russian league was not a step down from the Portuguese league.

"It is not a step down to come here. The Russian league is certainly not inferior to the Portuguese domestic competition," he continued.

Hulk: Zenit deal came as a surprise to me

Hulk has voiced his delight with his transfer from Porto to Zenit St Petersburg, but added that the move came as a bit of a surprise to him.

The Brazil international had repeatedly stressed that he was happy with life at the Portuguese giants and was ready to stay at Estadio do Dragao.

However, he opted to open talks with Zenit after his agent informed him that both clubs had reached an agreement over a transfer fee.

"I wasn't expecting this. After Saturday's game I said I would help Porto win a third title in a row. Suddenly my agent rang to say a deal was done," Hulk was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"I had no reasons to leave, but my agent called me and told that Porto and Zenit have reached a deal. This will be good for me, Porto and Zen it.

"This is another victory, yet another important step in my life. But I must say how grateful I am to Porto for opening the door to Europe. I was very happy in Portugal.

"I want to be happy at Zenit and in Russia as well. I want to keep moving in the same direction: winning matches and many titles as I did with Porto."

The 26-year-old has inked a contract with Zenit until the summer of 2017.

AC Milan not favourites in Champions League group, says Zenit boss Spalletti

Zenit St Petersburg coach Luciano Spalletti has dismissed suggestions that AC Milan are favourites to top Group C of the Champions League, backing his side to push them all the way.

The reigning Russian champions have also been drawn with Anderlecht and Malaga but the 53-year-old was adamant that no team can be assured of qualification.

"Are Milan the favourites? I expect a balanced group, which makes things more complicated," Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

"In the time I've worked in Russia we have made the most of our capabilities and managed to win some trophies.

"With the Champions League, we'll have to work even harder. This is why we signed Hulk and Alex Witsel, as they are important additions to the existing squad."

Zenit begin their Group C campaign with a visit to La Roselada to face Malaga on Tuesday September 19th.

Spalletti: Galliani wanted me as AC Milan coach

Zenit St Petersburg coach Luciano Spalletti has revealed that AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani has approached him in the past to take charge of the Rossoneri.

Current head coach Massimiliano Allegri took the reins at the club in the summer of 2010, but the former Roma boss has claimed that it could have been him sitting on the San Siro bench now.

"It is true that Galliani has contacted me in the past. He asked me whether I was available and open to the idea of becoming Milan's new head coach," Spalletti said in an interview with Sky Sport Italia.

"However, he gave me another call a few days later, asking me to forget about any previous agreements. It was not a problem for me. I am happy to coach wherever people want me."

Zenit were paired with Milan, Anderlecht and Malaga in last week's draw for the group stages of the Champions League.