Fyodor Smolov revealed that he discussed a potential return to professional football with Andrey Talalaev, the coach of Kaliningrad's Baltika. Smolov clarified that although a conversation about it occurred, there have not yet been any serious and official offers.

Former Krasnodar and Dynamo striker Fyodor Smolov said that he recently had a phone conversation with Baltika's head coach, Andrey Viktorovich Talalaev, who invited him to consider a return to the RPL for the upcoming season. The 36-year-old free agent suggested he would decline the offer, stating that he does not miss playing and is most likely finished with his career.