Spurs facing Arshavin fight
25 Jul 2008 - 11:40:09
Tottenham Hotspur's attempts to sign Russia playmaker Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg hinge on the north London club being able to offload players to fund the bid.
The 27-year-old, who impressed for his country at Euro 2008, had been linked with Barcelona and Arsenal earlier this summer, but now Spurs have emerged as favourites to land Arshavin.
Arshavin's agent, Dennis Lachter, told The Daily Mirror: "The price is very high, as are the personal terms.
"Let us see what happens in the future. It may need English clubs to sell some players first."
Zenit sporting director Konstantin Sarsaniya had earlier stated: "With Tottenham we have contacts.
"This English club is really interested in acquiring Andrei but, as I understand it 27million euros is too high a price for them.
"For Spurs, it is unacceptable. Tottenham are ready to pay in the region of 20million euros for Arshavin."
Spurs may soon be cash-rich if strike duo Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane leave the club, with the pair linked with Manchester United and Liverpool respectively.
Tottenham have also been linked with Arshavin's international colleague Roman Pavlyuchenko, who plays for Spartak Moscow.