£12M TARGET ... Andrei Arshavin
Agent Dennis Lachter said: “Maybe somebody will call me
tomorrow to say there is an agreement. “Whenever that is concluded
I will come over to represent my client.”
Zenit tried to hold out for £20m after Arshavin starred
at last summer’s European Championships. But club bosses now admit
they will drop their price due to the credit crunch and, according
to Russian sources, the two clubs officially opened talks
yesterday.
General director Maxim Mitrofanov revealed: “It’s very
difficult to discuss the Arshavin value. “We want to get an
adequate payment. “It will depend upon the particular offer from
the particular club. We also need to see what player will be coming
to us to replace Andrei.”
Arsenal refused to comment on the deal last night but
boss Arsene Wenger has been tracking the 27-year-old for
months.
Arshavin would not be available for the Champions
League last-16 tie against Roma as he has already played against
the Italians for Zenit already this term. But Wenger insists that
would not be a problem.
The striker has previously been linked with Tottenham
and Real Madrid but Arsenal remains his first choice. Zenit boss
Dick Advocaat admits he is resigned to losing his star
man.
Advocaat added: “I am aware that Arsenal are interested
but I don’t know any more than that. However, I am expecting
Arshavin to leave. “He is a top player and he could play for any
team and any of the top teams in England. “He was voted player of
the year by the sports writers last season — and they know
everything!
“Arshavin played well for us last season but he didn’t
play as well as he can. “There is still more to come from him and
people will see that.”
