MOSCOW, July 23, Vasily Bogdanov. Football agent Alexei Safonov said that St. Petersburg Zenit raised the salaries of the Brazilians Malcolm and Claudinho to keep them in the club. On Friday, Zenit announced the extension of contracts with Claudinho and Malcolm until the end of the 2026/27 season. On Thursday, the Blue-White-Blues extended the agreement with the Brazilian Wendel until 2027. The general director of the club, Alexander Medvedev, said that they would leave the team only for clubs of the «highest category.» «As far as I understand, the club wanted to somehow keep them, but there is only one option — to raise wages. He repeatedly said that foreigners do not come to us out of love for Russia, but with a desire to make money. So they decided to «beat» them with money. As for the «highest category» clubs that Alexander Medvedev spoke about, we are talking about the leading European leagues — England, Spain, Italy. Can they go there? Why not. The same Claudinho is the best player in the Russian championship, the winner of the last Olympic Games. He could be of interest to top clubs,» Safonov said.
