The highly anticipated move of midfielder Rodrigo Salazar from Portuguese club Braga to Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg fell through during the winter 2025 transfer window, and the club's advisor has now shed light on the reasons behind the collapse.
Alexander Medvedev, serving as an advisor to the chairman of Zenit's board, provided his perspective on the failed deal. He indicated that the transfer had reached an advanced stage, with all sporting and personal terms reportedly agreed upon between the parties involved.
According to Medvedev, the situation had progressed to the point where Salazar himself had already traveled to join Zenit's training camp. The player was said to be fully committed to the move and eager to begin his career with the Saint Petersburg side.
However, the deal ultimately did not materialize. Medvedev pointed to what he described as 'geopolitical problems' as the primary obstacle that prevented the transfer from being finalized. This suggests that external factors beyond the footballing agreement played a decisive role.
Reports from the time of the collapsed negotiations had previously indicated a different reason. It was widely stated that Braga withdrew from discussions because they were unsatisfied with the financial guarantees for the transfer payment that Zenit had proposed.
Medvedev's comments were made during an appearance on the documentary series 'Zenit Forever,' where he reflected on the club's transfer activities. He noted that while the summer window had been successful, the winter period did not go according to plan, with the Salazar deal being a key example of an unrealized objective.
The failure to secure Salazar represents a missed opportunity for Zenit to strengthen their squad midway through the season. For the player, it meant remaining with Braga despite his apparent readiness for a new challenge in Russia.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.