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Arsenal still struggling to agree fee for Arshavin
James Olley15 Jan 2009
Arsenal are hoping to complete the deal for Zenit St Petersburg star Andrei Arshavin next week but the two clubs have yet to agree a transfer fee.
Dennis Lachter, Arshavin's agent, is optimistic the move will go ahead but the Gunners are not offering anything close to Zenit's original £20million valuation for the playmaker.
Although the Russian club are thought to have slightly lowered that figure, it is understood Arsenal must break the £13m club record paid to Bordeaux for Sylvain Wiltord in 2000 to land their man. "It looks like nothing will happen this week now," said Lachter.
"But there may be some movement early next week."
Zenit turned down an offer of £10m plus add-ons and it is thought Arsenal's improved bid of £12m will also be rejected.
Manager Arsene Wenger is keen to add Arshavin to his depleted squad but the club are not expected to move for Newcastle's Charles N'Zogbia.
Reader views (17)
Considering the kind of problem we have with the squad i thought we would have had the new signings playing and making the diff.While i guess i was dead wrong as we want to wait until the last day hoping we can get players for free.I wonder when this tight handedness would end at this club what a joke
- Mavwe, Toronto, Canada, 16/01/2009 00:08
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I dont think we need a striker at Arsenal, we have enough as Eduardo is about to be back. We need a holding midfielder and an experienced defender at the back.
- Boitumelo Tshwenyego, Gaborone, Botswana, 15/01/2009 08:25
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Let us buy Arshavin. He has the skills and he is a world class player. Remember, Febragas is out for now. I still believe that we have the chance to win the PL, but we need to reinforced the pack.
- Mans, London, UK, 14/01/2009 22:31
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The way this is going i hope we do not spend £20mill on this guy!!! Even £16-18mill is too much. For that sort of money we should be looking to bring in 2-3 players. Kranjcar (£12mill), Collinson or Noble (£6mill). Then in the summer buy the top central defender we need to play along side Toure and bring Senderos back to bulk up the sqaud and develop a partnership with Djourou. Sell Gallas, Eboue, Bentdner = £15mill. RVP & Eduardo up front with Nasri & Kranjcar on the flanks.
- Newmy, Milton Keynes, 14/01/2009 22:01
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I think Arshavin would be a great signing for the Arsenal but also would like to see a strong experienced centre half come in and also a battler in midfield, idealy Yaya Toure, he is a teriffic player.
- Ryan Jackson, Stoke, England, 14/01/2009 20:01
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Major problems at Arsenal. The majority of these players are not good enough for Arsenal. How is Denilson still playing in the first team? He is picked above Diaby and Ramsey, was picked over Lasanna Diarra, yet does nothing. One paced, no physical strength, small passing range....complete waste of time yet h is the first name on the teamsheet. Joke. We need to buy proven hungry footballers with their ability already tested at the highest level. If we dont sign anyone in the window, fans will be despondent, the players will be dispondent and our season will be as good as over....come on Arsene splash the cash!!!
- Ibrahim Osman, England, 14/01/2009 19:55
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After following Russian football for a few seasons now i personally think Arshavin is a cut above the rest in Russia and has the caliber to succeed in the English PL. Any deal less than £20m would be a good price imo.
I also think investment is needed in defence, a strong and experienced player.
Still fully behind Wenger whatever fate the team face this season.
- Rick, London, 14/01/2009 18:06
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We need to buy an enforcer in the middle of the park and one in defence.We have the fancy dandies to play the exciting stuff but when it comes down to fighting for the ball(Viera)we come up short with the current crop. I thought Diaby would do the job but I am not totally convinced yet.What a pity we could'nt hold on to Diarra(although I dont think he's worth £20million)then maybe we would be 6-8 points better off.
I hope we dont get suckered into buying Arshavin only for him to flop like a few others.
- Anthony, North London. UK, 14/01/2009 16:42
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I'm just a little worried that we do not seem to have enough strong and skillful characters in the side, and feel that the youngsters don't quite 'cut the mustard' - Denilson, Song, etc. Also that we have no-one dominant in defensive midfield/defence to allow Nasri and Fabregas to just get on with it.
I wish we would invest in 2/3 new players of calibre, even though I am pleased to generally go along with Arsene's policy in other regards.
- Tom Mapfumo, Swansea, Wales, 14/01/2009 15:42
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I totally agree with Arsenalbob recent Russian signings don’t seem to cut it here in the Premier League. We are in need of 5 players: a decent goalie – Almunia I have no confidence in. Two centre halves – Gallas well lets say Chelsea have seen better days of him, Toure he want’s to leave the club, Silvestre ask yourself why did Man U sell him to us? Answer because he would weaken our defence. Ferguson must be laughing his head off. Midfield – Denilson he’s got crabulitis (he likes passing side ways only) and let’s face it he’s not good enough, Song the boy tries but he’s not good enough. Striker – Nicklas Bendtner where do you want me to start? The guy is a waste of space and frankly I wouldn’t even let him play in the ladies side.
- Chippie, London, 14/01/2009 14:54
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well I am certainly renewing!-think its great that we can still compete by implementing a business model without dubious foreign money being invested or laundered here.
besides ARSENAL is my team whatever happens(unless Abramovich or similar buys !)
- Arsenalbob, studham, 14/01/2009 14:37
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arsenal sure don wan arshavin and sure will bring arteta and shirt is 13
- Tomas Rosicky, london, 14/01/2009 14:19
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only at arsenal do we need all 30 days of this window to negotiate a couple of million quid off for ashavin, look at spuds and man city, deals done in 2 days. u would be a mug to buy season ticket for the next season.
- Norbert -Gooner, london, 14/01/2009 13:38
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I would be more than happy for this one to break down if we could get bullard and haageland-AA looks like he would be useful whilst Cesc is out but what then-surely we need ramsay,theo and little jack to come through,unless we are writing off rosicknote(possible).
has there been a prem success from russia(inc ukraine) yet though?rebrov,sheva,pavyluchenko,luzhny,Jo,
every one a dud!
- Arsenalbob, studham, 14/01/2009 12:37
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It's taking too long to come to some sort of agreement and as there is only two weeks of the transfer window left, so personally I doubt very much it will happen. Also I thought Arsene Wenger wanted to bring in a central defender, what's happened to that? All these promises are like pie crust easily broken.
- Judith Le'Strange, London, England, 14/01/2009 10:44
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it very impoetant for asene winger to bring this player now.we need him to improve the dont let him go,as there is no one fit that position.
- Saidu Turay, free town sierra leone, 14/01/2009 10:42
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Yet more frustration for the Arsenal fans. We're getting tired of spending all that money to see them week in week out if they're not going to do anything with it. We need good, experienced players and we need them quick. Why can't the club get their act together and actually start showing the loyal fans that the club isn't going backwards, which is how it feels!
- James, London, 14/01/2009 10:42
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