Manchester United would now have to pay £25 million for Sergei Pinyaev with Lokomotiv Moscow demanding a huge sum for the Russia international these days.
It is four years now since the jet-heeled winger enjoyed a brief spell training with the Red Devils.
Whether Manchester United come calling again in the near future remains to be seen. But, with reports suggesting that Erik ten Hag’s side sent scouts to keep tabs on Sergei Pinyaev’s progress as recently as 2022 as well, you can almost guarantee that his rapid rate of progress over in Moscow has not gone unnoticed by those in England’s north west.
Manchester United keeping tabs on the Russian Ronaldo
Pinyaev, since Man United’s last scouting mission, has become a record breaker. At 18 years and four months, he is now the youngest-ever goalscorer for the Russian national team.
Now wearing the number nine shirt at Lokomotiv, he hit the target six times during the 2022 Russian Premier League season too, the legendary Andriy Arshavin drawing comparisons between Pinyaev and a young Cristiano Ronaldo due to his explosive pace and eye for goal.
In fact, Pinyaev has developed to such an extent that Lokomotiv Moscow would not consider selling their teenage talisman for a penny below the £25 million euro mark these days.
“In order for the offer to be considered, a super sum must be offered that we cannot refuse,” sporting director Dmitri Ulyanov tells Sport24.
“30 million euros.”
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The Alejandro Garnacho problem for Pinyaev
While equally comfortable on the left or the right of the attack, the emergence of Alejandro Garnacho at Old Trafford may have put pay to Pinyaev’s hopes of following in Ronaldo’s footsteps for the time being.
Though another season like the last one and it won’t be long before someone is willing to meet Ulyanov’s £25 million asking price.
“I have said many times that he has qualities. The main thing is still his speed. He flies like a rocket,” former Arsenal ace Arshavin tells Such Football on YouTube. “He understands when it is necessary to pass the ball
“It seems to me that I was more of a subtle player. I was more tied to my head and decision-making. I don’t liken him with myself.
“For me, Sergey is Cristiano Ronaldo. The way he plays, his style, he looks more like the Portuguese.”