The Russian National Association of Bookmakers wants to purchase Paul the psychic octopus, who became a pop culture sensation by correctly predicting the outcome of eight World Cup matches, for 100,000 euros, the association's president said on Tuesday.
"I've sent an official bid; the starting price is 100,000 euros," Oleg Zhuravsky told a RIA Novosti press conference.
Paul, who lives in an aquarium in Oberhausen in western Germany, guessed the outcome of as many World Cup matches as he has limbs - all seven of Germany's games plus the Spain-Netherlands final.
Zhuravsky said that during the World Cup he had pledged to bring the octopus to Russia if Paul made no mistakes in his predictions.
"We would like to bring the octopus to Russia to see how he predicts the results of matches in the Russian championships," he said. "Today this is the most popular animal in the world. He would be useful to this country."
Zhuravsky said the octopus could settle at the Moscow oceanarium.
"I am convinced he will spend at least a week in Russia," he said.
Last week the German aquarium rejected a request from Spain's Madrid zoo to exchange Paul the Octopus to any of its animals.
Oberhausen's Sea Life spokeswoman Tanja Munzig said the center would not accept any bids for the octopus.
MOSCOW, July 20 (RIA Novosti)
