Zenit Saint-Petersburg have identified Paradou AC striker Mohamed El Amine Ramdaoui as a transfer target after the Algeria Under-23 international pulled out of a proposed move to Baltika Kaliningrad.
The 21-year-old has returned to Algeria following a three-day trip to Russia, with Zenit now closely monitoring his situation, according to DZfoot.
Zenit, the reigning Russian champions, are assessing Ramdaoui as a potential attacking option as they plan for the possible departure of centre-forward Aleksandr Sobolev. The club have already spent €15m this summer on Brazilian forward Felipe Augusto but are understood to be considering further recruitment in attack.
Baltika deal collapsed over lifestyle concerns
Ramdaoui had been on the verge of joining Baltika Kaliningrad, and the two clubs had reached a full agreement over the terms of the transfer.
Paradou AC and Baltika agreed a €1.2m fee, to be paid in two instalments, with Paradou also set to retain a 30% sell-on clause on any future transfer.
The move did not fall through for financial reasons. Instead, it was Ramdaoui himself who decided to end the talks after visiting Kaliningrad.
The forward was reportedly unconvinced by the living conditions in the city, which is a Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania, and felt it was too isolated to commit his long-term future there.
His decision not to proceed with the Baltika switch has effectively reopened the market for his signature and created an opening for Zenit to step in.
Breakthrough season in Algeria
Ramdaoui enjoyed a standout 2025-26 campaign with Paradou AC, scoring 10 league goals.
That tally made him the second-highest scorer in the Algerian top flight last season and underlined his status as one of the most promising young forwards in the country.
He is under contract with Paradou until 30 June 2028, giving the Algerian club a strong negotiating position in any talks over a sale.
Transfermarkt currently values Ramdaoui at €900,000, although Paradou’s previous agreement with Baltika at a significantly higher fee suggests they may hold out for a bigger sum from any suitor.
Previous domestic move also fell through
Before the recent interest from Russia, Ramdaoui had been close to a move within Algeria.
A transfer to USM Alger was discussed but ultimately failed to materialise due to disagreements between the hierarchies of the two clubs.
With that domestic option off the table and the Baltika deal abandoned, Zenit Saint-Petersburg have emerged as the most high-profile potential destination for the young forward, who now faces a key decision over the next step in his career.
