Andrei Arshavin Could Sign for Tottenham Tonight According to Zenit: Spurs to have Beaten Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Newcastle & Fiorentina to Euro 2008 Star
The long running Andrei Arshavin transfer saga could finally end as early as tonight as his club side Zenit St Petersburg have announced they are dropping the price for the exciting Russian star of Euro 2008. Juande Ramos’ Tottenham may finally get their man beating off interest from the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona, Everton, Newcastle, Chelsea and Fiorentina for his services.
Zenit official Konstantin Sarsaniya announced in Russian newspaper Sovetsky Sport, “Now we are in negotiations with Tottenham and some clarity is likely to come on Friday evening.”
“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.”
This news will be welcomed by Ramos who looked set to be left with one senior striker in Darren Bent as Dimitar Berbatov looks set to depart White Hart Lane this week. After selling Jermain Defoe in January and Robbie Keane to Liverpool this summer, Spurs were looking pretty threadbare up top though Bent has been in sensational pre-season form.
The signing of Arshavin would be a major coup for the North London giants as he’s interested some of the biggest clubs in Europe though none seem keen to make a firm bid. Zenit reported that Spurs bid £15.9m for the player but the Russians wanted far more though a compromise now looks likely to be agreed at long last as Spurs summer upheaval gathers pace.
Arshavin’s match winning performances at Euro 2008 illustrated both his ability to create and to score goals. He can play either from the flank or centrally in an advanced midfield or 2nd striker role similar to that of Keane. His international record of 1 goal in every 3 games (12 goals in 37 appearances) is impressive as is his club record of 48 goals in 227 League appearances for Zenit. His arrival could also see a change in Spurs tactical line-up and would surely provide Bent or any new striker with an overwhelming abundance of service. After all, the club already have the likes of Giovani Dos Santos, David Bentley, Aaron Lennon and Luka Modric to open defences up.
Arshavin is 27-years-old and will turn 28 in December but only now is he receiving the worldwide acclaim that many in his homeland have been aware of for years. However, last season’s League title and Uefa Cup winning success was the pinnacle of his career so far and Arshavin is undoubtedly at the height of his creative powers. He has declared his wish to join Spurs after seeing many of his suitors drop out of the chase for his signature and would surely be one if not the most exciting signing by any Premier League club this summer.
So are Spurs fans optimistic the Arshavin signing will go through? Is he the sort of player Spurs should be signing? Let’s hear your views.
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Tags: Andrei Arshavin, Arsenal, Chelsea, Euro 2008, Everton, Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Newcastle, Premier League, Russia, Tottenham
