Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona will launch today a final 15 million euro° offensive for Zenit Saint Petersburg forward and Russian international Andrei Arshavin (27). If everything goes like planned, the transfer could be closed before the end of this week.
Barcelona had already found an pre-agreement with Zenit before the European championships but the excellent performances of the player during the tournament and the interest of other clubs, have made the Russian club take a step back.
Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that because of the pre-agreement and the will of the player to join Barcelona (read more here), Barcelona is not willing to enter a bid race with other clubs. A few days ago, a deal seemed to be very close but the interference of Chelsea would have avoided that a deal was finalized.
The paper claims that Metallurg Donetsk vice president Dimitri Sellyuk, who is also the agent of Barcelona player Yaya Touré, has been appointed by Barcelona to act as intermediary between the clubs.
Asked about the negotiations, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain didn't really want to enter the issue at a press conference today: "The club is working on several options. Arshavin is one of them but I don't want to say more about it, I prefer to talk about facts."
Zenit sports director Konstantin Sarsania is quoted by British tabloid The Daily Star as saying that Arshavin and his agent will meet with Zenit officials today: "On Thursday, players from the national team return to our training camp. Arshavin and his agent Pavel Andreev are to clarify their position with us then. We do not want to sell Arshavin. That’s exactly why we need Andrei to meet the bosses of the club: to understand what he is really after.
My understanding was that he would like to go and play abroad. But he isn’t only interested in moving to Barcelona. There’s also Chelsea. Andrei never rejected the idea of moving there. The Chelsea managers know the situation and have already talked to his agent."
British tabloid The Daily Mirror meanwhile claims today that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has found last night a deal with Zenit and that Arshavin will now fly into London for talks with the English Premier League club.
A source at Zenit is quoted by the tabloid as saying: "Chelsea have been in contact, a deal has been agreed and Arshavin will fly to London to discuss terms. He was very attracted by playing in Spain but feels English football would suit his style better. And with Roman Abramovich involved there is another link and reason."
Arshavin said yesterday to journalists that he wishes to leave Russia this summer: "I've been very happy at Zenit and I will always be grateful for the chances they've given me, but I would like to leave for another big club in Europe. There's nothing concrete yet, it depends on many things, but I hope a deal can be closed soon."
Read more:
Formal offer for Arshavin
Arshavin confirms that he is a Barcelona fan
Arshavin scouting report
Thursday 3 July 2008
Final offensive for Arshavin
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10 comments:
15 million euro =
23 million us dollar
12 million british pound
If the Chelski rumors are true, it's no big loss, really. Arshavin is a risk and frankly, one that is worth about 15 million Euros. Chelsea is talking something like 17 million Pounds. If they want to overpay to make sure they get him, god love 'em.
Unfortunately for Arshavin, if the rumors are true, he is going to suffer in the English system, I think. He isn't that kind of a player. And he definitely doesn't make the starting XI over there, but he wasn't going to for us, either.
i'm not sure like you say he's a risk and we could get the dutch game arsharvin or the spain game, i think his versitility makes him worth the risk. if he goes to chelsea then he's a money grabbing bastard and good riddence.
If Deco price is 10 M, then this player fair price is 10M plus incentives that may reach 15M based on performance, thats if we wana do a realistic bench marking between the two players.
Pep i commented on "Transfer period could end on Sunday" and i hope u give it a look ,may be u change ur point of view, even though i wish if it was true:)
Guess who has free contract now...Hernan Larsson...i mean...hernan crespo
I agree, but I don't think he'd just be a money grabber to go to Chelsea, with a Russian chairman who is the one of the biggest people behind the resurgence in their game, pumping money in to get Hiddink and into the Russian FA.
He's just abit small for my liking, and we should've got him 4 years ago and made him into something more.
Wouldn't mind him come though. Add abit of depth.
If the rumors are true, I think Arshavin's going to be in for a rough time at Chelsea. The EPL is more about physicality than technical skill. I think Arshavin's going to be knocked around like a pinball in that league. Sure he's great in open space, but once that space narrows he's going to get knocked off the ball time and time again. I wish him the best but I think he's making a huge mistake.
RAFAEL VAN DER VAART is the best man for the job.
This Catalan newspaper writes the same shit everyday. Who's to belive? English press says he's going to Chelsea, Barclona press quite the opposite. I'm sick of it.
Seems we're losing him. He is not against going to Chelsea.
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