First contact with CSKA on left winger Zhirkov

Russian news agency RIA Novosti unconfirmedly claims that Barcelona has contacted CSKA Moscow on a possible transfer CSKA left winger and Russian international Yuri Zhirkov (25).

Barcelona wanted to hear about the chances of signing the Russian player, whom Barcelona could see as an option for the left back position, during the summer transfer window (read more here).

CSKA Moscow nevertheless doesn't seem willing to let Zhirkov go next year. The Russian club wants the left winger to be a key player in the club's Champions League campaign next season.

Read more:
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Bid for Arshavin rejected

Asked about the rumours linking Zenit Saint Petersburg forward and Russian international Andrei Arshavin (27) with a summer exit, Zenit general director Maxim Mitrofanov has said in an interview with Russian radio station Radio Zenit that Barcelona is the only club so far who has made a formal offer but that the Russian champions have rejected it and prefer to hold on to the player:

"There are currently a lot of rumours about a transfer of Andrei Arshavin to a west european club. Barcelona is the only club so far that has made an official approach. No other clubs, this means including Chelsea, have contacted us. The fate of the player should be resolved mid-July. Zenit's position is to keep our leading player although we will respect Andrei's wishes. But for the fee that Barcelona has proposed to us, we cannot sell Arshavin."

Asked about the rumours saying that Arshavin would fly to London to hold talks with Chelsea today (read more here), Zenit spokesman Alexei Blinov said in an interview with Russian news agency RIA Novosti that the club was unaware of that: "We saw the news but we have no information about that. Arsahvin took normally part in the training session today."

Zenit manager Dick Advocaat has said to journalists today that it's not yet sure what will happen with the player: "There's no final decision taken yet whether he will remain at the club or not. I expect everything to be clear and decided upon two weeks from now."

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Russian energy company considering Messi bid

Russian news agency RIA Novosti claims that Russian champions Zenit Saint Petersburg are interested in Barcelona right wing attacker and Argentinian international Lionel Messi (21).

During the annual general meeting of Russian energy consortium Gazprom today, the rumour has been spreading amongst the shareholders.

Having seen what the performances of the Russian national team at the European championships in Switzerland and Austria have provoked inside and outside Russia, Gazprom would want to try to get Messi to Russia, namely to Zenit, the club that is owned by the company.

Zenit would consider to offer Barcelona 20 million euro° plus Zenit Saint Petersburg forward and Russian international Andrei Arshavin (27).

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Record renewal offer for Messi
100 million euro Chelsea offer for Messi
Formal offer for Arshavin