Spurs close as Arshavin price drops
Andrei Arshavin could become a Tottenham Hotspur player as early as Friday evening after Zenit St Petersburg confirmed that they have lowered their asking price for the forward and that negotiations with Spurs are now at an advanced stage.
Juande Ramos has targeted the Russia international as a replacement for Robbie Keane and Spurs have already agreed personal terms with the player who is determined to leave his home country after a stellar showing at Euro 2008.
Arshavin recently admitted that his performances in Austria and Switzerland have hindered his chances of moving abroad as Zenit – bankrolled by gas giants Gazprom – are well aware of his inflated value and had been seeking a transfer fee in the region of £28 million.
The Russian club have now relented in their demands though and Zenit expect talks with Tottenham to come to a swift, and positive, conclusion.
“Now we are in negotiations with Tottenham and some clarity is likely to come on Friday evening,” Zenit official Konstantin Sarsaniya told Sovetsky Sport.
“There are only small differences left.
“Zenit have decided to reduce the asking price for Andrei, but exactly how much I cannot say because the negotiations were led by Zenit president Alexander Dyukov.”
Arshavin had made no secret of his desire to join Barcelona after Euro 2008, but when the Catalan giants failed with a bid for the 27-year-old it quickly became apparent that a move to The Premier League was a distinct possibility.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal were linked with the gifted playmayker
at various points over the summer but it appears as though one of 2008’s most lengthy sagas will now end with Arshavin joining Giovani dos Santos, Luka Modric and David Bentley in an exciting Spurs line-up for next season.