Manchester City legend Kinkladze central to Zenit's Nani pursuit
The former Maine Road favourite is one of the key figures behind the
Russian giants' bid to secure the 25-year-old Old Trafford winger in a
late transfer-window swoop
Kinkladze, who retains hero status among City
supporters for hisperformances during a three-year spell in the
mid-1990s when the club lived in the shadow of their wealthier and more
glamorous neighbours, is now a Moscow-based football agent and has close
connections to Russia's noveau riche clubs.
Sources have told Goal.com that
Kinkladze is working closely with Zenit and England-based
intermediaries to take Nani to St Petersburg in what would be a
sensational move.
Kinkladze was the sporting director of
Cypriot club Anorthosis for 10 months before leaving in June and has now
re-assumed agent duties.
The 39-year-old Georgian, who ended his
playing career at Russian club Rubin Kazan in 2006, is well connected,
speaks English and has close links to movers and shakers in Manchester
and London.
Zenit went public with their desire to sign Nani last
Friday, with manager Luciano Spalletti revealing that contact has been
made with United over the Portugese winger.
The winners of two
consecutive Russian league titles already count Nani's national team
colleague, Bruno Alves, in their ranks and have the ambition and
resources to make an impact in the Champions League.
Despite
denials from Old Trafford that Nani will be sold, it is understood that
Sir Alex Ferguson is giving serious consideration to cashing in on the
Portugese winger although he will not have appreciated Spalletti
publicly confirming Zenit's interest.
Ferguson has strengthened
his attacking options by signing Robin van Persie, Shinji Kagawa and
Nick Powell this summer, which could be ominous for Nani or Ashley
Young.
Although Nani started the 1-0 defeat to Everton on Monday,
it was unlikely he would have done so had a defensive crisis not forced
Antonio Valencia to be deployed at right-back.
Despite being a
key creator and goalscorer for United in the three seasons that followed
Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Real Madrid, the winger has frustrated
Ferguson with his inconsistency.
A stalemate in talks over a new contract has
yet to be resolved, which is a growing concern at Old Trafford given
that his current deal only has two years to run.
Zenit have not made a formal offer for the Portuguese but may be prepared to start the bidding at around the £20 million mark.
The
Russian club are keen to bolster their ranks this summer to maintain
their status as top guns in their homeland and be competitive in the
Champions League.
Speaking last Friday, Spalletti spelled out his
interest in Nani as well as Porto forward Hulk and Barcelona attacker
Ibrahim Afellay.
"Are we interested in Hulk and Nani? Yes we are," Spalletti said. "Everything's going to depend on how much they cost.
"There
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."
Source : Goal.com
