Eurosport
Zenit St Petersburg are claiming that a fee has been agreed with Arsenal for Russia midfielder Andrei Arshavin.
Arsenal have been locked in talks with the UEFA Cup holders over the playmaker’s transfer, with the Gunners thought unwilling to pay the £20 million Zenit have been demanding.
But if Zenit are to be believed an accord has been reached and all that is required is the agreement of personal terms.
“The fundamental understanding over the transfer of the player has been achieved between the clubs,” Zenit said in a statement.
“At the moment the only obstacle is the agreement of Andrei Arshavin’s personal requirements.”
Arshavin has been the subject of an ongoing tug-of-war between Zenit and Arsenal, after coming close to joining North London rivals Tottenham before the end of the summer transfer window.
Accurate information has been hard to come by, with contradictory statements released by Zenit and the player’s agent Denis Lachter, while the host of top European clubs thought to be interested in the 27-year-old’s services – including Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona – have chosen to remain quiet on a deal.
Arshavin impressed during Zenit’s UEFA Cup-winning campaign and Russia’s run to the semi-finals of the European Championships.
Arsenal lost midfield duo Gilberto and Mathieu Flamini in the summer and are desperate for midfield cover following a knee injury to captain Cesc Fabregas.
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