The general manager of Steaua, Mihai Stoica, confirmed to Romanian website dolce-sport.ro that the club is in talks to sign goalkeeper Martin Bogatinov.

The transfer of Martin Bogatinov to Steaua is not quite done, but the team’s general manager Mihai Stoica did confirm that an agreement has been reached in principle.  The only thing holding up an official announcement is that the transfer must get the green light from the Steaua owner.

Stoica said the following to dolce-sport.ro, “In principle, this transfer is done.  We are just waiting confirmation from our owner.  We can not make any decisions without informing him.  The faster we get confirmation, the sooner the problem will be solved at the goalkeeping position.”

Meanwhile, the Steaua manager, Laurențiu Reghecampf, stated the following when asked about Bogatinov, “I can not deny this possibility, but I can not confirm it either.  You will be notified when there is something official.”

The owner of Steaua is George Becali who is a polarizing figure in Romania.  He is known for having a short temper, so you never know with him when it comes to his decision making from day to day.  Thus, we should exert caution and we can only say Bogatinov is truly a Steaua player once he is holding their jersey at a press conference announcing the transfer.

Bogatinov became a free agent back in November of last year.  He was involved in a contract dispute with Karpaty Lviv that saw him removed from the first team during the first half of the 2013-14 Ukrainian season.  Karpaty wanted Bogatinov to take a paycut, which he refused, so he was then removed from the first team and forced to train with the reserves.  Finally, on 21 November of last year, he became a free agent after his contract was terminated.

Steaua is looking for a keeper in this winter transfer window because their starter, Ciprian Tătărușanu, is out of a contract in the summer and it is uncertain whether he will extend his deal, while one of the other keepers, Valentin Cojocaru, is out with an injury.

To Steaua fans, if this transfer does take place, Bogatinov has good reflexes, but his biggest weakness is his judgment of crosses and long balls into the box.  He can be indecisive at times, about when to come out and when not to, which has led to some goals for the opposing teams.  Martin does, however, possess a good work ethic and is a positive influence in the locker room.