Several different sources are reporting that Sprout sniper Ihor "w0nderful" Zhdanov is close to signing for Natus Vincere to replace CS esports legend Aleksandr "s1mple" Kostylieva.
This is the first concrete rumor of Na'Vi negotiating with a new AWP player, after s1mple missed IEM Sydney 2023 where he did not play for Na'Vi.
At the time, the unofficial version of the absence was that he failed to secure the visa paperwork in time, but some sources claimed that there were other issues and that s1mple might be taking a break because he wasn't enjoying playing CS2.
In the meantime, unofficial information also appeared that s1mple will be for sale, but so far there is no information on whether any team has actually started negotiations regarding the arrival of the three-time best player in the world.
On the other hand, according to rumors, the negotiations between Na'Vi and the sniper Sprout have reached the final stage and most likely there will be a signing of a contract and cooperation.