A fascinating piece of transfer history has come to light regarding Alexander Kokorin's 2013 move from Dynamo Moscow to Anzhi Makhachkala. Former Anzhi sporting director Hasanbi Bidzhiev has revealed that the high-profile transfer was significantly influenced by two of the club's star players at the time: Samuel Eto'o and Lassana Diarra.
In an exclusive interview with Russian sports outlet Чемпионат.com, Bidzhiev explained that when he became involved in the negotiations, the deal for the promising young forward was already largely agreed upon. He communicated with Kokorin's stepfather, who also acted as the player's agent, before presenting the situation to the club's leadership. The final decision was made within a matter of days.
The most striking detail from Bidzhiev's account is the direct role played by the team's established stars. He stated that both Diarra and Eto'o actively requested the club to secure Kokorin's signature, emphasizing that they believed he was a necessary addition to the squad. This player-driven recruitment highlights the significant influence the experienced duo wielded within the Anzhi dressing room during that ambitious era for the club.
Unfortunately, the transfer did not unfold as planned for any party involved. Bidzhiev expressed regret that Kokorin arrived at Anzhi while carrying an injury. This physical setback proved severe enough to prevent the striker from making a single appearance for the Makhachkala-based team.
The stint at Anzhi was ultimately a brief and unfulfilling chapter in Kokorin's career. Following his time there, the forward made a return to his former club, Dynamo Moscow, where he continued to develop his career in the Russian Premier League.
This revelation sheds new light on the transfer strategies employed by Anzhi during their period of significant investment and ambition. The club, backed by billionaire Suleyman Kerimov, was actively recruiting top international talent, and the willingness to listen to senior players like Eto'o and Diarra on recruitment matters demonstrates a collaborative approach to building the squad.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.