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Andrei to buy out contract if deal fails
James Olley21 Jan 2009
Andrei Arshavin is set to buy himself out of his contract if Arsenal fail to agree a fee with Zenit St Petersburg, writes James Olley.
FIFA rules allow a player over 28 years old to release themselves and become a free agent once entering the final two years of their current deal. Arshavin reaches that point at the end of Russia's season in November and Standard Sport understands he is ready to act in his bid to leave Zenit.
The forward, who turns 28 in May, would have to pay around £2.5million to terminate his contract.
Talks yesterday ended with the Gunners offering £12m plus add-ons to total £15m but the Russian club are holding out for £20m.
Reader views (10)
Don't need him.Did anybody see Jack Wilshere last night vee Stoke reserves.The kid hit one of the best goals you will ever see,man of the match has it all.Take note Arsene.
- Gerald Diamond, Romford Essex, 22/01/2009 12:15
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this Andrei issue has taken too long.i hoped by this time \arsenal would have signed a defender.seems every season they take a step backwards.
- Colonel. M, harlow.UK, 22/01/2009 00:13
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No 27year old Champions League tied is worth £20mill in todays climate! £15mill is plenty as he will only have 3 years to play at the top. I would of gone for Afellay, Ninis and a central defender like Westermann! Afellay & Ninis both attacking midfielders with Arsenal qualities. Westermann is a good replacement for Gallas who needs to leave in the summer! Bring back Senderos to bulk up the squad and partner Djourou! Fabergas, Rosicky, Walcott and Eduardo all back for the 2009/2010 season and we are very, very strong again!
- Newmy, Milton Keynes, 21/01/2009 16:33
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mark, mr wenger said that because its better than saying "yes we think he is amazing and we will happily pay over the odds for him"
- Stephen Park, Dubai, 21/01/2009 16:26
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Back in the summer when Spurs were trying to sign him Mr Wenger said "he was too old, too expensive and won't last the pace of the premiership". What a hypocrite ! If the so called "kids" (yawn) are so great then why the need to buy. Most of them will end up at the usual suspects in a couple of years time (i.e Watford, Brighton etc etc). The "kids" is a myth, used only to hide behind the lack of success in recent years.
- Mark, Essex, 21/01/2009 13:52
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Latest news is Arshavin is on his way to Man City, in place of Kaka.No surprise there though.
- James Hennessy, london england, 21/01/2009 13:24
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I admire Arsenal, seemingly the only financially sensible club. I wish every other club was equally prudent.
- Nat, New Malden, UK, 21/01/2009 12:05
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I would be extremely surprised if Arsenal are actually after Arshavin as Wenger stated he would have liked to have found him when he was much younger. Also, Wenger never re-signs players so Upson is a no no. Usually, Wenger suprises evryone by purchasing players, nobody expected, at the last moment of the window for sensible prices, unlike our North London neighbours who have re-signed a player for double what they received for him a year ago & have now agreed to pay £14 million for an ordinary central midfield player who cost Wigan £1 million not long ago. This is despite having 4 decent central midfield players & no quality left sided players!
- Rob Gooner, North London, 21/01/2009 11:54
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I disagree with you completely Arsenal have been smart they wont be held to ransom by a club who so far have shown little respect to them, and who are just out to get as much as possible for a player who is 27 turning 28 and can not play in the champions league this season if he could then the price they want is warranted but as it stands Arsenal are in the right.
- Adam Simmons, Liverpool, united kingdom, 21/01/2009 11:47
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Arsenal have waisted too much time on getting this player.
This shows Arsenal are not prepared and need people who could deal with these problems.Arsenal should have left as soon as things were at a stalemate and gone for somebody else.Arsenal again have not done their home work properly otherwise the transfer of any player would have been finished by now and not as always leave it to the last.
Now Arsenal are too late to get somebody else.They need a central defender and Upson should have been their first priority.
Regards A.Messina
- A.Messina, Malta, 21/01/2009 11:05
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