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Zenit call halt to Arshavin deal

20 Aug 2008 - 19:27:08

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Zenit St Petersburg have closed the door on star forward Andrei Arshavin leaving the club before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.

The 27-year-old had been a target for the likes of Barcelona and Arsenal after impressing at this summer's European Championships, before Tottenham Hotspur emerged as the leading contenders for his signature.

However, with the two clubs unable to agree a fee, the deal stalled and the UEFA Cup holders have finally called a halt to the protracted saga.

Zenit released a statement on their official website reading: "The uncertainty of the situation does not make it possible for the club to seek out a replacement for Andrei.

"Zenit consider the question of the transfer of the player to Tottenham Hotspur closed."

Arshavin's agent, Dennis Lachter, had earlier warned that the transfer was close to collapse, saying: "Andrei would love to go to England, but if it stays like this there will be no deal.

"Zenit will not sell for a penny less than 25million euros and Tottenham will not go above 22million."

"This is the Russian way. Nothing will change because this is the old Soviet Union way.

"For the Russian sports establishment the desires of the player mean absolutely nothing. They are the big bosses and it is a dictatorship."