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EXCLUSIVE: £19 just can't buy Arshavin
AN unnamed English club has failed with a £19 million bid for Andrei Arshavin, with Arsenal poised to step up their interest in the Russian playmaker.
Arshavin’s agent, Dennis Lachter, last night claimed Zenit St Petersburg had rejected the offer from a Premier League outfit, but is confident a deal will be struck.
Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb is closing in on a £15m switch to Barcelona and Lachter believes that could be significant for the future of his client.
Zenit St Petersburg want £24m for Arshavin and the player is seeking a three or four-year contract worth around £4m a year.
Chelsea are also interested, but have not resolved Frank Lampard’s situation.
“Barcelona failed with a £12m bid for Andrei and now an English club have had a £19m offer rejected by Zenit,” said Lachter. “Zenit want £24m, so clubs who want to sign Andrei will have to get closer to that figure.
“I believe they will because there are clubs interested in Andrei who are trying to sell other players first. The figure is not easy to reach, but the transfer activity is beginning to happen and I am still optimistic he will join a big club.
“I don’t know exactly when Andrei’s future will be resolved, but we have until the end of August, so we are both fairly relaxed.”