Lokomotiv Moscow head scout: Bilyaletdinov is a great player, but we needed a striker

Kyrill Kotov, head of the scouting department at Lokomotiv Moscow, in an exclusive interview to Sports.ru explained why the club decided not to bid for ex-Railwayman Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.

«Was Bilyaletdinov on your radar when it became clear he was leaving Everton?»

«Diniyar is a wonderful footballer, but we were looking for a striker, so we decided to go with Pavlyuchenko, and I am glad we did. Besides, we have a lot of competition in central midfield: Glushakov, Torbinsky, Tarasov, Ozdoev, Sapater – there wouldn’t be any room for [the former Everton midfielder – Sports.ru].»

«Is it true that the first one on that list, Glushakov, was on the verge of signing for Zenit St. Petersburg?»

«Denis Glushakov is not for sale. He is the sort of player that you can build the team around. He had a great half a season last year, playing at the highest level. He grew up at Lokomotiv and will continue to be an asset to this club.»