ARSHAVIN CLOSE TO MOVE?
Andrei Arshavin has told Zenit St Petersburg he will boycott training if the UEFA Cup winners do not sell him to a big European cup in the January transfer window – good news for Arsenal and Manchester City, who are leading the chase for him.
Zenit director Maxim Mitrofanov has revealed that he has negotiated “an agreement in principle” with Arshavin. And until next Tuesday, when the deal will be finalised, he will not say more, though he did admit: “We are negotiating with a number of English clubs.”
The 27-year-old forward phoned manager Dick Advocaat to say that he expected to be sold immediately, and is frustrated that Zenit are believed to be holding out for a fee of €18m.
Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, is understood to have had a bid of €13m (including €3m in performance-related bonuses) turned down – and as a result Manchester City have entered the race to sign one of the stars of Euro 2008.
Dutchman Advocaat has resigned himself to losing the influential player, though he would not comment at length about who was closer to signing him. “This is a private matter between the player and the club,” he said.
Russian sources believe that a bid of €15m would secure Arshavin’s services – but Zenit want to make sure that they recoup as much money as possible, as agents are in line to receive €5m and Arshavin himself is due to be handed the same amount.
Andrei Arshavin has told Zenit St Petersburg he will boycott training if the UEFA Cup winners do not sell him to a big European cup in the January transfer window – good news for Arsenal and Manchester City, who are leading the chase for him.
Zenit director Maxim Mitrofanov has revealed that he has negotiated “an agreement in principle” with Arshavin. And until next Tuesday, when the deal will be finalised, he will not say more, though he did admit: “We are negotiating with a number of English clubs.”
The 27-year-old forward phoned manager Dick Advocaat to say that he expected to be sold immediately, and is frustrated that Zenit are believed to be holding out for a fee of €18m.
Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, is understood to have had a bid of €13m (including €3m in performance-related bonuses) turned down – and as a result Manchester City have entered the race to sign one of the stars of Euro 2008.
Dutchman Advocaat has resigned himself to losing the influential player, though he would not comment at length about who was closer to signing him. “This is a private matter between the player and the club,” he said.
Russian sources believe that a bid of €15m would secure Arshavin’s services – but Zenit want to make sure that they recoup as much money as possible, as agents are in line to receive €5m and Arshavin himself is due to be handed the same amount.
Labels: Andrei Arshavin, Arsenal, Manchester City, Zenit St. Petersburg
