Zenit monitor Paradou forward Ramdaoui after snub of Baltika Kaliningrad move

Mohamed El Amine Ramdaoui is being closely monitored by Zenit Saint-Petersburg after the Paradou AC striker pulled out of a move to Baltika Kaliningrad despite an agreement between the two clubs.

The 21-year-old, who returned to Algeria this week following a three-day trip to Russia, is now on the radar of the reigning Russian champions, according to DZfoot.

Zenit, who have just spent €15m on Brazilian forward Felipe Augusto, are looking at Ramdaoui as they plan for the possibility of losing first-choice centre-forward Aleksandr Sobolev and see the Algerian youth international as a promising alternative.

Move to Baltika collapsed over lifestyle concerns, not finances

Ramdaoui had been on the verge of joining Baltika Kaliningrad, only for the deal to fall through at the player’s initiative rather than over financial disagreements.

Paradou AC and Baltika had reached a deal worth €1.2m, to be paid in two instalments, with Paradou also due to receive 30% of any future transfer fee.

However, Ramdaoui chose to end the talks after visiting Kaliningrad, reportedly unconvinced by the living conditions in the Russian exclave, which he considered too remote and isolated.

That decision effectively reopened his future and created an opening for Zenit, who are among the most prominent clubs in Russian football and regular contenders in European competition.

Zenit eye depth in attack

Zenit’s interest in Ramdaoui comes as part of a broader strategy to strengthen their attacking options.

The club have already moved decisively in the market by signing Felipe Augusto for €15m, and are now exploring additional cover in case Aleksandr Sobolev leaves.

Within that context, Ramdaoui has emerged as a potential recruit, with Zenit tracking his progress and profile rather than moving immediately to formal negotiations.

Prolific season in Algeria

Ramdaoui enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with Paradou AC in the 2025-26 season, scoring 10 league goals.

That tally made him the second-highest scorer in the Algerian top flight and underlined his status as one of the most promising forwards in the domestic league.

The striker is under contract with Paradou until 30 June 2028, giving the Algerian club a strong negotiating position in any potential transfer.

His market value is currently estimated at €900,000 by Transfermarkt.

Failed domestic transfer before Russian interest

Before Russian clubs came into the picture, Ramdaoui had already been the subject of serious interest within Algeria.

A proposed move to USM Alger collapsed due to disagreements between the two clubs’ hierarchies, preventing what would have been a major transfer on the domestic scene.

With that option off the table and the Baltika switch now abandoned for non-sporting reasons, Ramdaoui’s next step could yet be a move to Russia – but to a club of significantly higher profile in Zenit Saint-Petersburg rather than Baltika Kaliningrad.