Zenit striker Yuri Alberto could move to a European club on loan, but the option with the Brazilian Corinthians turned out to be preferable, given the interests of the player, said Alexander Medvedev, general director of the Blue-White-Blues.

On Wednesday, Zenit announced that they had loaned Alberto to Corinthians, and in return they had loaned midfielder Gustavo Mantua and goalkeeper Ivan Quaresma.

– How do you assess this whole situation as a whole?

— Positively. Due to personal circumstances, Yuri Alberto asked us to leave him in Brazil. But, of course, we had no desire, no reason to do it just like that. In order to avoid legal conflicts, they began to work out mutually acceptable options. And not just one, but several. For example, another Brazilian and one European club expressed their readiness to carry out an onward loan. But taking into account all the circumstances, the player’s desire not to leave Brazil yet – he has a small child in his family – the option with Corinthians turned out to be the most interesting. Because we got not one player, but two, of a good level with great potential, who will strengthen Zenit this season. This applies to both,” Medvedev told Match TV.

According to him, newcomers will not need to adapt to Zenit for a long time.

– They are in game mode, so they won’t need much time to join Zenit. Especially, it concerns Manutana. He is a very versatile player who, like Sutormin, even played a defender. Although he can play both a pure striker and play in the position “under the attackers”. Given the versatility of Mantua, this is a very good acquisition. As a result of the loan, Zenit has the right to buy out the loaned Ivan and Mantua, while Corinthians have no such rights in relation to Yuri Alberto.

– The agreement with Mantua and Ivan precludes their departure during this season?

– They definitely won’t go anywhere if Zenit doesn’t want it. It is fixed legally, – Medvedev noted.