There’s nothing to “get around” here.
There seems to be a real misconception around the sanctions and what they are. Mainly because the media makes lazy reference to “sanctions against Russia”.
There are no all-encompassing, blanket “sanctions against Russia”. Hundred of British, EU and US companies still do legal business with Russian counterparts and/or related to Russia every day.
There are:
(i) certain trade/sector specific sanctions - such as the import ban on Russian oil, gas, and luxury goods.
(ii) specific, listed people (mainly oligarchs and politicians) and companies in Russia, which are (a) subject to an asset freeze in the UK and EU, and/or (b) “specially designated nationals” in the US. It is illegal for any UK, EU or US person or company (depending on which jurisdiction they are subject to) to do business with any of the listed Russian people or companies.
There is no sector/trade specific ban on football transfers. Similarly - Zenits owners - Gazprom - are NOT on the UK or EU asset freeze list.
Provided no other party involved is on the asset freeze or SDN lists (eg a specific bank that’s listed), there is no sanctions issue here.
And to be frank - the idea that SAFC would complete a transfer without taking detailed legal advice and being certain that there’s no sanctions risk, is for the f***ing birds.