BAKU — September 3, 2025.
Azerbaijan’s Qarabağ FK, fresh from qualifying for the UEFA Champions League group stage, failed to complete any attacking signings before the close of the summer transfer window on September 3 — despite scouting an extensive list of potential reinforcements.
The club’s management had cast a wide net across four continents, eyeing forwards and wingers who could add depth and firepower for the European campaign. Among the biggest names on the radar were Juninho of Flamengo and Sambou Soumano of Lorient, each valued at €2.5 million. Both deals, however, stalled.
Interest also circled around Colombian striker Brayan Perea (€400,000) and the possible return of Ramil Sheydayev (€800,000), who previously played in Baku. Scouts also monitored Suf Podgoreanu (€850,000) from Israel, Fabrice Tamba (€225,000) of Senegal, Iranian forward Reza Asadi (€700,000), and South Korea’s Min-sik Kim (€175,000).
Further options included Mahamadou Dembele from Mali, Ghanaian winger Owusu (€400,000), Honduran forward Bryan Róchez (€225,000), and Brazilian André Clóvis (€1 million). Despite this broad shortlist, no negotiations were finalized before the deadline.
Squad Outlook
With the window now closed, Qarabağ will rely heavily on its existing core of attackers. Brazilian midfielder Kady, Serbian playmaker Marko Janković, and striker Redon Xhixha are expected to shoulder the creative and scoring burden, supported by veteran Abbas Huseynov and versatile forward Owusu Kwabena. Head coach Gurban Gurbanov will also count on Champions League experience within the squad, but depth up front remains limited — a concern as the team prepares to face Europe’s elite clubs, reports Media.Az.
