Chelsea score Arshavin ahead of Barcelona and Arsenal

According to a report carried in the Guardian, Chelsea are interested in signing the Russian midfielder Andrei Arshavin. Reports in many of the other newspapers also suggest that a deal has been already agreed.

The Guardian reports that club owner Roman Abramovich is believed to have personally intervened to ensure the Zenit St Petersburg playmaker, who shone at Euro 2008, will opt for a move to London over Barcelona or Real Madrid and is preparing a £12m bid.

An unnamed source at Arshavin’s club was quoted as saying: “Chelsea have been in contact, a deal agreed and Arshavin will fly to London to discuss personal terms.”

However the Sun also reports that Arsene Wenger has been dubbed ‘a cunning fox’ in his hunt for the wily Russian and is leading the £15million chase for Euro 2008 star.
Zenit official Dennis Lakhter said: “Arsene Wenger is a cunning fox.”

“In the morning he says Arshavin will play all the time at his club and during the day he says he doubts the capabilities of Andrei to play three games in a row at the highest level. But this is a tactic to fool the competition. He calls Andrei a Tsar and then tries to deny interest in the player.”

Arshavin has snubbed a £3.9 million a year offer from Zenit so it is definite that he will leave. However, despite the tricks of Wenger and his “dreams” of Barcelona, it appears that the Russian connection has overpowered all other suitors.

[Source :The Guardian, The Sun]