Arshavin frustration grows

Russian desperate for move

Last updated: 8th August 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Arshavin frustration grows

Arshavin still wants move

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Andrei Arshavin's frustration is mounting as his proposed move to Tottenham continues to be delayed.

Zenit St Petersburg have rejected formal bids from Barcelona and Tottenham for Arshavin, whose inspirational performances led Russia to the Euro 2008 semi-finals.

Zenit have raised Arshavin's price tag to a reported 27 million euros (£21million), with the 27-year-old now fearing he has been priced out of the market.

"This price tag has frightened everybody off," Arshavin told Sport Express.

"Only Tottenham have dared continue negotiations. But as it stands nothing has developed.

"My desire to leave is still as strong, but there is nothing more to do now other than hope for a miracle.

"I understand perfectly well that if I don't move on now, I probably never will.

"I'm just hoping that one fine morning the bosses at Gazprom will wake up in a good mood and say: 'We've had enough of Arshavin's whining - let's let him go'."

Spurs appeal

With the prospect of his dream move to Barcelona over for now after the Catalans signed Alexander Hleb, Arshavin has turned his attention to the Premier League and reiterated his desire to work with Spurs coach Juande Ramos.

"When Tottenham made their offer I was sceptical at first," Arshavin continued.

"But after Ramos called me personally and told me that that they were selling Robbie Keane and that he wanted me in his side, the situation changed.

"When a coach shows an interest in you, especially such a renowned and strong coach, then that is already half of the success of any move.

"I also like the way Tottenham play, so I agreed in principle to join.

"A short while later a representative from Spurs arrived to discuss my personal terms and contract.

"The discussion didn't take long and we agreed on everything quickly. Only then did my asking price go up.

"Tottenham have a decent squad with (Luka) Modric, (Dimitar) Berbatov and other players, and the club is fully capable of fighting for a place in the Champions League.

"The main thing is to try my strengths in a league like the Premier League and play against the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal on a regular basis rather than once every five years."

Advocaat fear

Despite the breakdown in negotiations, Zenit coach Dick Advocaat believes the club have not heard the last from Tottenham and is confident the deal can be resurrected.

The Dutchman told Rossiskaya Gazeta: "I am sure Tottenham will be back to make another, more suitable offer for Arshavin's transfer.

"There is no set time period or deadline for this. Zenit are doing everything in the correct way.

"If Tottenham can sell Robbie Keane to Liverpool for €25million then in my opinion they should pay good money for Arshavin."

Arshavin is currently preparing to fly to Kazan for Zenit's crucial Premier Liga match against league leaders Rubin on Saturday despite reports in the English press that the player is "on strike".

Arshavin, along with fellow Russian internationals Alexander Anyukov, Roman Shirokov and Konstantin Zyryanov, was rested in midweek for Zenit's cup defeat to Sibir Novosibirsk.