Paris Saint-Germain are poised to sign Aleksey Batrakov from Lokomotiv Moscow, beating out interest from several Premier League clubs, according to TEAMtalk sources. Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City had all been monitoring the 20-year-old Russian attacker, but are now set to miss out on his signature.
Batrakov has rapidly emerged as one of the most promising young talents in world football during his time with Lokomotiv Moscow, amassing 33 goals and 22 assists in 79 appearances. His versatility, capable of playing across midfield and in attacking positions, has drawn significant attention from top European sides.
Premier League clubs had closely scouted Batrakov through their Eastern European networks, but current UK sanctions relating to the conflict in Ukraine have effectively prevented a direct transfer from a Russian club. The situation mirrors the case of Nikola Vlasic’s attempted move from CSKA Moscow to West Ham United, where the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled payment was “objectively impossible” due to sanctions.
Chelsea and Manchester City explored potential avenues through their wider club structures, while Manchester United considered loan arrangements, but none proved viable. PSG, however, are not subject to the same restrictions and have already successfully recruited from the Russian market, most recently signing goalkeeper Matvey Safonov from Krasnodar in 2024.
PSG view Batrakov as a player with the potential to become one of Europe’s elite attacking talents and are advancing talks with Lokomotiv Moscow. While the English clubs recognize Batrakov’s potential, they are unable to compete for his signature under the current circumstances. This leaves PSG in a strong position to secure a deal for the highly-rated Russian starlet, further bolstering their attacking options.
