Arsenal lead the race for Andrei Arshavin
By Jonathan Wilson
Last Updated: 2:26am BST 06/07/2008
Arsenal have emerged as favourites to sign Andrei Arshavin after Chelsea ended their interest in the Russian playmaker yesterday. Arshavin has his heart set on a move to London because he believes it will be more valuable for his children to learn English than Spanish.
The Russian forward, who excelled at Euro 2008, is expected in London this week after his coach at Zenit St Petersburg, Dick Advocaat, gave him 12 days off to resolve his future.
A source close to the Russia playmaker explained that Arshavin, who values education sufficiently to have completed a university diploma in fashion design, is keen for his two-year-old son, Artyom, and his three-month-old daughter Yulia, to experience life in Britain.
Another source has confirmed that Arshavin has already made plans to learn English: "One of the main conditions [on Arshavin's part] is studying English. That's why a translator will be near Andrei when he arrives in London. He will teach him intensively for two months."
Arshavin, 27, is seeking an annual contract of £6.3 million, while Zenit are holding out for at least a £20 million transfer fee. The director general of Zenit, Maxim Mitrofanov, has confirmed that there has been only one firm bid for Arshavin, a £12.5 m offer from Barcelona. Zenit have offered him a lucrative new contract but it will not deter him from moving to England.
With Roman Abramovich eager to bring a Russian to Stamford Bridge, and Arshavin making London his preferred destination, Chelsea looked like being the perfect solution but the combination of the player's wage demands and the signing of Deco has caused them to withdraw from the race.
"I don't believe that after this acquisition of Deco the club have retained their interest in Arshavin," said Dennis Lachter, Arshavin's agent. "Zenit want to get at least 30 million euros [£23.8m], and foreign clubs offer no more than 20 million euros [£15.8m].
"The situation is not at an impasse though. The transfer period only ends on Aug 31 and clubs are only just beginning to be proactive in the transfer market.
"Several potential buyers are involved as clubs sell their players," he added. "Arshavin's future may be dependent on conversations about [Alexander] Hleb, [Emmanuel] Adebayor, Cristiano Ronaldo and others."
