Questions linger over the priciest deal ever made by Spartak's ex-team manager regarding club transactions.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Russian football scene, Spartak Moscow have splashed out a reported €28 million to bring in Jefferson Farfan from Schalke. This transfer, announced earlier this week, has broken the club's transfer record and made headlines across the country.
However, not everyone is celebrating the deal. Yuri Pervak, the former general director of Moscow's Spartak, has expressed doubts about the necessity of Farfan for the team. Pervak questions whether the current transfer is evaluated from a coaching perspective, and he has gone as far as to describe it as a "hundred percent overpayment."
Pervak's concerns are not without merit. Farfan, at 35, is nearing the end of his career, and questions have been raised about his ability to adapt to the Russian league after spending the majority of his career in Germany. Pervak also expressed concern that it will be much harder for Farfan to play in Moscow, given the intense competition and the high expectations that come with playing for a club like Spartak.
Before Farfan's arrival, the record for the most expensive purchase in the Russian club belonged to Trinidadian Livio Garcia, who was bought in the 2025 winter transfer window for €18.7 million. Garcia's transfer was also met with controversy, with some questioning the necessity of bringing in another striker when the team already had a strong attacking lineup.
Despite the doubts, Spartak's fans are eagerly awaiting the team's first match of the season, which will take place on August 3 in Tolyatti against Akron. The starting whistle for the match is at 1:30 PM Moscow time, and it will be an opportunity for Farfan to prove his worth and silence his critics.
Alexander Mostovoy, a well-known figure in Russian football, has also expressed doubts about Spartak's recent transfer. He referred to it as "insane," and he joins Pervak in questioning whether the team needed another midfielder.
Despite the controversy, it is clear that Spartak is making a statement with this transfer. The club is aiming to challenge for the title this season, and they believe that Farfan can help them achieve that goal. Only time will tell if the investment was worth it, but one thing is for sure: this transfer has already made headlines and will be remembered as one of the most significant in the club's history.
Fans of European-leagues, particularly the Premier League, have shown interest in the recent transfer of Jefferson Farfan to Spartak Moscow. His €28 million move from Schalke has raised questions about whether the team needed another player, given Pervak's concerns over his age and ability to adapt to the Russian league.
