Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Saturday, June 13, 2026, 12:43 / Updated Saturday, June 13, 2026 12:43
Ioan Varga, the owner of CFR Cluj, reacted after the club terminated the contract of Alibek Aliev (29 years old). The head of the team from Gruia also announced a change in the transfer strategy this summer.
Ioan Varga said that he released Aliev because he had a high salary of 20,000 euros and did not give the expected return. The boss of the financially troubled team has said he aims to lower wages for players brought in in the summer and give them big performance bonuses to cut costs: “We're cutting at the root.”
Ioan Varga: “I let Alibek Aliev go. We are changing the strategy”
“I let Alibek Aliev go. We're changing the strategy. We've suffered too much recently, due to the fact that I was away from the club. All kinds of players were brought in that I paid both when they came and when they left. It was the same with Alibek Aliev, who had a salary of around 20,000 euros.
It was not worth the money! He scored 5 goals, not 20! I don't want to do such nonsense anymore. Keeping players who don't break the bank and take a lot of money. It can't be like this anymore. I prefer to give normal salary and big bonus. We won the championship, we play in the Champions League, so yes, you get a lot of money.
It is not possible for Neluțu to lose and them to win. Everything that means big expenses changes, we cut from the root. If you want to earn money at CFR, then you have to perform. It is not possible for me to pay and in the end be the one left with the damage. Enough!”, said Ioan Varga, according to digisport.ro.
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Alibek Aliev arrived at CFR Cluj in the winter, free of contract, at the request of former coach Daniel Pancu. He played 21 matches for CFR Cluj, scored 4 goals and provided 6 decisive assists. It is quoted by specialized websites at 650,000 euros. CV teams: Jaro, GAIS, Orgryte, Dalkurd, Trollhattan, Osters.
