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Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been thwarted in their pursuit of Aleksey Batrakov, as Paris Saint-Germain close in on signing the highly-rated Russian forward. The Premier League giants had been tracking the 20-year-old Lokomotiv Moscow attacker for some time, but strict transfer restrictions involving Russian clubs have tilted the advantage firmly in favour of the French champions.

Sanctions Halt Premier League Interest

Despite extensive scouting efforts from the English clubs, ongoing UK sanctions have made any potential transfer to the Premier League unfeasible. Batrakov, who is widely regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in global football, remains off-limits due to regulations linked to the Ukraine conflict, which prevent British clubs from transferring funds directly to Russian entities.

This issue recently came to light in the Nikola Vlasic case involving West Ham United, where it was determined that payment of remaining fees was legally impossible under British law. Both Manchester City and Chelsea explored alternate routes through their multi-club networks, while Manchester United examined potential loan arrangements, but none of these strategies provided a lawful workaround to the imposed restrictions.

PSG Take Commanding Lead

According to TEAMtalk, with Premier League clubs effectively sidelined, Ligue 1 powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain have moved decisively to capitalise. Unlike their English counterparts, the French side face no such barriers when dealing with Russian clubs. Sporting advisor Luis Campos has reportedly spearheaded a determined push to secure Batrakov’s signature, identifying him as a player capable of reaching elite European standards.

PSG have already enjoyed success in similar transfers, notably signing goalkeeper Matvey Safonov from Krasnodar in 2024. Safonov later helped the Parisian club lift the Champions League trophy against Arsenal, demonstrating that talent from the Russian league can make an immediate impact at the highest level. Now, Batrakov looks poised to become the next Russian star to join the ranks at the Parc des Princes.

Agent Confirms Deal Nearly Complete

The transfer is nearing completion, with Batrakov’s agent Dmitry Cheltsov confirming that negotiations are in their final phase. Cheltsov revealed that extensive discussions between PSG and Lokomotiv Moscow have taken place, with an agreement on both the transfer fee and salary already close to finalisation. Only minor details are said to remain before the official announcement.

“It’s fair to say that at 95%, Batrakov will sign for PSG. The PSG and Lokomotiv leaders have already held over 10 telephone conversations. This week, Luis Campos is scheduled to travel to Moscow to finalise the deal. At this point, only an act of God could stop the transfer: €25 million for the move, and around €5–6 million in salary,” Cheltsov stated.

A Perfect Match for Luis Enrique’s System

Batrakov’s record at Lokomotiv has been outstanding, tallying 33 goals and 22 assists in 79 appearances. His adaptability allows him to play either as an attacking midfielder or across the forward line, aligning perfectly with Luis Enrique’s fluid and possession-oriented approach. The Spanish coach values technical excellence and high-upside talent, both of which the 20-year-old possesses in abundance.

In his most recent season, Batrakov delivered 17 goals and 13 assists in just 36 matches, highlighting his readiness for a major European challenge. As PSG prepare to finalise the reported €25 million deal, England’s biggest clubs are left to ponder what could have been, as one of world football’s most exciting young prospects appears set to slip beyond their grasp.