Spertsyan close to Al Ahli move as Krasnodar set to receive €20 million

Krasnodar and Armenia national team midfielder Eduard Spertsyan is close to joining Saudi club Al Ahli. According to insider Ivan Karpov, the deal between the clubs is already prepared, while the player’s personal terms have also been agreed.

The reported transfer fee is €20 million. In Saudi Arabia, Spertsyan is expected to sign a contract until 2029 under a “3+1” format. The 26-year-old midfielder’s salary at the Jeddah-based club will be around €6 million per year, not including potential bonuses.

Eduard is expected to undergo his medical examination in Dubai next week. After that, the transfer could be officially completed.

For Spertsyan, this move would become a long-awaited step outside Russia. Over the years, several European clubs have shown interest in him, including Ajax, Leeds United and Southampton, but a full transfer never materialized.

Spertsyan is a product of Krasnodar’s academy and has been one of the club’s key players in recent years. For the Bulls, he has played 185 matches in the Russian Premier League and Russian Cup, scoring 58 goals and providing 50 assists.

If the transfer is officially completed, Spertsyan will become the third Armenian footballer to play in the Saudi Pro League after Marcos Pizzelli and Lucas Zelarayán.