Quincy Promes was the hero of Russia’s oldest derby between Dinamo Moscow and Spartak Moscow, which took place at Khimki Arena on October 25. First Promes scored to make it 1-1, and then in the dying minutes of the game with score level at 2-2, Promes was once again faster than the entire Dinamo defence, pounced onto the ball, and ticked it past Dinamo’s goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov to make it 3-2.
It was no surprise when Promes was later voted the man of the match, and received praise from Sport-Express, which called him the red and white Hulk—not after the comic book figure, but rather after the Zenit Saint Petersburg imposing striker of the same name.
Promes hasn’t just shone in the derby, however, as his current Whoscored.com score of 7.25, and seven goals in 14 league appearances for Spartak Moscow attests.
On November 3 championat.com from Russia reported that Spartak Moscow’s owner, Leonid Fedun, would be willing to sell the young Dutch striker in order to level Spartak’s finances. Furthermore, the popular Russian football television anchor Nobel Arustamyan told the Russian television station, Match TV, that English clubs were willing to offer up to €20 million for Promes.
Fedun, however, wants to make at least €30 million for the quick striker, who is able to play both in the centre as well as on the right wing. According to Arustamyan, both Bayern Munich and Juventus Turin have shown interest in Promes, but this is still in the early stages, as Fedun would not be willing to sell until next summer; he wants the club to return to international football first, and selling the striker now would severely threaten the club’s ambitions in the Russian Football Premier League (RFPL).
The summer may indeed be the better market for Promes anyway, as both Juventus and Bayern—or any other major club outside of the English Premier League—is usually reluctant to make major transfer moves in the winter transfer window.
Also, despite Promes’ recent heroics, there are doubts about whether the Dutchman would currently justify the heavy price tag of €30 million. In August 2014 Spartak paid €11.50 million to Twente Enschede for Promes’ service, yet transfermarkt.de evaluation of the striker currently sits at €10 million—only a third of Fedun’s price tag.
There is also uncertainty as to whether Promes could shine in a top league. Spartak Moscow failed to qualify for European football this year, which makes it difficult to judge whether Promes has what it takes to compete against top-level competition on a weekly basis. Furthermore, Promes has failed to leave an impression in the Dutch national team, and only featured in three matches in the European Championship qualification campaign—a campaign, which ended in disaster when the Netherlands failed to qualify for Euro 2016.
Bayern, however, recently took a chance by paying €30 million for Shakhtar Donetsk’s winger, Douglas Costa, who has since become a Bundesliga sensation. Other clubs may have taken note that Eastern European football, and Russia and Ukraine in particular, may possess more gems such as Douglas Costa. This makes Promes a coveted target for several big name clubs in next summer’s transfer window.
About the author – Manuel Veth
Manuel Veth is a freelance journalist and Editor in Chief @FutbolgradLive and writes about the economics and politics of Soviet and post-Soviet football. You can find his work at Futbolgrad.com.
twitter: @homosovieticus
