Rubin is interested in signing Krylia Sovetov's 23-year-old Russian central midfielder Sergey Babkin and has offered 20 million rubles more for him than Lokomotiv. However, the transfer to the Moscow club is unlikely to be impeded, because Babkin himself wishes to join Lokomotiv, where he is an academy graduate. According to information from journalist Ivan Karpov, which was confirmed by sources for 'Championat', Lokomotiv is reportedly close to securing the transfer for a fee of 220 million rubles with a proposed contract lasting until 2031. The club increased its efforts to sign Babkin after the sale of Artyom Karpukas to Zenit. Babkin joined Krylya Sovetov Samara in September 2023 and has not yet been capped by the Russian national team. Transfermarkt estimates his current market value to be €2.00m.