Smertin set for Dinamo switch

Alexei Smertin believes he is on the brink of wrapping up a move back to Russia with Dinamo Moscow.

The 30-year-old midfielder, currently on loan at Charlton from Chelsea, claims there is a provisional agreement between all parties over a move which he hopes to have completed in time to play in next week’s Russian Cup second leg with Krylia Sovetov Samara.

He told his own website, www.smertin.com: “Me and my agent Pedro Barbosa had talks with Dinamo last week and they were successful.

“There is a provisional agreement between Chelsea, Charlton and Dinamo concerning my move to the Moscow club. I’m going to Moscow to sign a contract.

“I hope all the formalities will be settled and I will play in the Russian Cup game against Krylia Sovetov on March 13.

“I admit I wanted to come back to Russia. That’s why I’ll be glad to move to Dinamo where many well-known former players play and Yuri Semin is the head coach.”

Smertin had looked to be on the way to Dinamo’s local rivals Lokomotiv last week after their president Valeri Filatov had admitted holding talks with the player while he was in Moscow for Russia’s international friendly with Brazil.