Zenit assistant opens door for Yuri Alberto and praises Corinthians prospect Pedro | OneFootball

Zenit assistant coach William de Oliveira says the club would welcome Yuri Alberto back, as European sides prepare for July’s window.

"He plays in a position everybody needs. We know him well and he would have the quality to come back and continue his story here," he said, speaking to ESPN Brasil. "When the conflicts started, he chose to return to Brazil and wait."

He moved to Zenit in January 2022 for €25 million, after joining Internacional in 2020. Corinthians then took him on loan that June under a FIFA ruling allowing foreign players in Russia and Ukraine to suspend contracts.

The move became permanent in January 2023 in a multi-player deal. Corinthians now hold 45 percent of his rights, Zenit have 50 percent and agent André Cury owns five percent after a renewal to 2030. The striker has said he wants to return to Europe, and Corinthians will only discuss €20 million for their 45 percent.

On Pedro, de Oliveira said: "He is a boy with insane quality, I believe you will hear a lot about him in world football. The board know his wish to seek a new horizon and are controlling it."

Pedro was sold by Corinthians to Zenit in June 2023 for nine million euros for 50 percent, with a further 30 percent of a future sale initially retained. Corinthians would also receive two and a half percent of any future fee via FIFA’s solidarity mechanism.

Source: Meu Timao