Andrei Arshavin is expected to be heading to England for talks according to the players agent, Dennis Lachter. A number of Premiership clubs are not surprisingly sniffing around the Russian star, with Arsenal and Chelsea expected to be prominent in the chase.
While Lachter, isn’t naming clubs at this stage he has, rather cheekily ruled some Premiership teams out of the running.
“Andrei would like to play in the Premier League but he will not accept an offer from clubs like Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa.”
Champions League football is a minimum for the twinkle-toed Arshavin and while United and Liverpool may well be in the running, it looks for all the world to be a two-horse race between Chelsea and the Gunners. With Deco a recent arrival at the Bridge, Wenger’s need looks certainly looks the greater. For now though, Lachter is keeping things vague.
“Zenit is negotiating with several clubs. We are now waiting for a phone call from Zenit president Alexander Dyukov to allow us to negotiate his personal terms with one of them. It’s most likely he will be heading for England.”
Arshavin’s arrival would undoubtedly be another great signing for the Premiership. For fantasy managers he’d be another unknown to factor into their shortlists but, given his performances in Euro 2008, he’d surely figure highly. Like Modric and Deco, If Arshavin can cope with the physical stuff, he will flourish and for me, he would rank above that pair for potential goals and assists.