Arshavin wants Spain move - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Arshavin wants Spain move

Russia playmaker Andrei Arshavin has revealed that he is ready to turn down offers from clubs in England and Germany in favour of a move to Spain.

Manchester City, Newcastle and Arsenal are just three of the Premier League clubs reportedly interested in the Zenit St Petersburg star who has impressed at Euro 2008.

"I know that I have offers from England and Germany, but what I would really like is to play in the Spanish League, in the Primera Division," he told Spanish newspaper AS.

"It's the championship I've always followed, I like the football they play there.

"But, at the moment, I don't have any offers from Spain."

Those offers may soon arrive with Arshavin having been heavily linked to Barcelona following his starring role in Russia's 3-1 demolition of Holland in Saturday's quarter-final.

Those reports were sparked by comments from Russian Football Federation president Vitaly Butko, who on Sunday claimed that the player has his heart set on a move to the Nou Camp.

Real Madrid, Valencia and Atletico Madrid are also said to be interested in testing Zenit with an offer.

Zenit coach Dick Advocaat has already revealed that Arshavin has told the UEFA Cup winners he wants a move abroad.

Now the player too has publicly admitted it is time for a move to a bigger club, adding: "Maybe the moment (to move) has come, yes."

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