A fascinating behind-the-scenes story from Russian football has emerged, shedding light on the 2013 transfer of striker Alexander Kokorin from Dynamo Moscow to Anzhi Makhachkala. According to the club's former sports director, the move was driven by star players within the Anzhi squad themselves.
Hasanbi Bidzhiev, who held the sporting director role at Anzhi, provided exclusive details about the high-profile acquisition. He explained that by the time he became directly involved in negotiations, the transfer was already largely agreed upon. His primary discussions were with Kokorin's stepfather, who also served as the player's agent.
Following those conversations, Bidzhiev met with the club's owner to present the situation. The deal was finalized within a matter of days. What made this transfer particularly notable was the direct involvement of two of Anzhi's most prominent players at the time.
Samuel Eto'o, the Cameroonian legend, and French midfielder Lassana Diarra both actively advocated for Kokorin's signing. According to Bidzhiev, both players explicitly stated that they wanted Kokorin on the team, making their desire clear to the club's management.
Unfortunately, the move did not unfold as planned for any party involved. Kokorin arrived at Anzhi carrying an injury, which ultimately prevented him from making a single appearance for the Makhachkala-based club during his stint there.
The transfer represented a significant period for Anzhi, which was then pursuing an ambitious project with substantial investment. Bringing in a young Russian international like Kokorin, alongside established global stars, was part of that broader strategy.
Following his unsuccessful spell at Anzhi, Kokorin eventually returned to Dynamo Moscow, the club he had originally departed. The episode remains a curious footnote in the history of both clubs and the player's career trajectory.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.