6 foreign stars in Ukraine and Russia who Premier League clubs could snap up now
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With the outbreak of war in Ukraine, many footballers are attempting to flee the country.
Players from both the Ukrainian Premier League and Russian Premier League are now considered by FIFA to be ‘out of contract’ until 30 June 2022 and will therefore be able to sign for another club ‘without facing consequences of any kind'.
But these players must sign with any new club on or before April 7, and potential clubs are entitled to register a maximum of two new players using this rule.
The rule means players in those two countries can make a swift exit if they need to.
Here we take a look at some of the key players in both those leagues and the Premier League clubs they could well move to.
Malcom
Malcom is currently playing for Zenit St Petersburg after a failed move to Barcelona.
After impressing for Bordeaux in Ligue 1, the 25-year-old earned a switch to the Nou Camp in 2018, but severely struggled there, netting just four times in 24 games.
He moved to Russia just a season later, scoring four times in each of the seasons he’s been there.
But the Brazilian showed in France he possesses talent – and maybe under another manager that can be rekindled.
OK, this is a bit of an outside one – please bear with us – but a move to Burnley, if they stay up, could provide the club some much-needed firepower upfront, with Malcolm in an auxiliary role just behind the main striker.
Do you think we will see an influx of stars from Russia and Ukraine heading to the Premier League? Let us know in the comments section.
Wilmar Barrios
Wilmar Barrios is a soild holding midfielder who plays for Zenit Saint Petersburg as well.
The 28-year-old would be a solid addition to any Premier League club looking to add depth to their backline, with Tottenham once interested in the player when he was at Boca Juniors.
Maybe a club like Everton – who are leaking goals at the moment – would be a decent move for the Columbian.
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Wendel
Not to be confused with the wingback who plays for Porto – Wendell, this Wendel is a versatile Brazilian footballer as well, only he plays for Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg and can perform as a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder or a left midfielder.
He joined the Russian club in 2020 on a five-year-old and would be a huge benefit for a club looking to plug holes in midfield. Maybe Wolves could use the player to bolster the side if Ruben Neves heads to Manchester United in the summer.
David Neres
A FIFA Ultimate Team gem – well he was before he shipped to Russia and ruined those handy links – David Neres is known for his lightning-quick pace and attacking flair.
He starred for Ajax for six seasons, but he failed to hit the mark last campaign, netting just three times in the Eredivisie.
The Dutch giants shipped him off to Shakhtar Donetsk, where he has so far failed to make an appearance.
Several years ago, Manchester United were reported to be interested in the 25-year-old winger. With Anthony Martial gone, could they come back in with something for the man whose goal record at Ajax stands at 47 goals in 180 games?
Tete
Another Shakhtar Donetsk player, Tete is a goal-scoring attacking midfielder.
His record with the Ukraine club currently stands at 31 goals in 108 – and ten from this season alone.
If goals from midfield are what a club is after, the Brazilan ticks that box tremendously.
Could a club like Brighton, who enjoy buying technical players, be interested in the player?
Dodo
Standing a short 5ft 5, Dodo is a right-back who plays for Shakhtar. He is able to bomb forward with stunning pace, making him an attractive prospect for any Premier League club.
The 23-year-old has played for the under-23s Brazilan national side and given his age, he will surely grow to be an even better wingback.
Maybe Arsenal, who currently have Cedric in the right-back position, would be willing to take a punt on the player.
- Premier League
- Russia
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