Metallurg Magnitogorsk in Talks With Spartak Over Morozov
Director Alexei Zhloba confirms Metallurg is negotiating with Spartak Moscow for forward Ivan Morozov, saying a deal could come within a week.
Metallurg Magnitogorsk have confirmed contract talks with Spartak Moscow over forward Ivan Morozov, with director Alexei Zhloba saying discussions with the Moscow side are under way, though no agreement has yet been reached.
Morozov, 26, is a restricted free agent. Asked directly whether Metallurg are negotiating with Spartak, Zhloba answered "yes", and declined to rule out the deal being completed within a week.
"Morozov is among other things within Metallurg's sphere of interest, but it is still too early to talk of any agreement," Zhloba said. "There are no problems at all, it's a standard story: one club agrees with another on a player's transfer. "
Zhloba said Metallurg are also working the market for a top centre and a defenceman, after losing a player named Press who had covered most of the club's defensive pairings. He added that bringing in leading players from abroad has grown harder, without giving further detail.
On whether Morozov himself wants the move to Magnitogorsk, Zhloba would not speak for the player but argued the club's case. "I'm not prepared to speak for Ivan, ask him, but I think Metallurg is of interest to any player in the league. We always fight for the best possible result, we have excellent infrastructure, so I think every player in the league is ready to move to us," he said.
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