Zenit - No Arshavin offers

Russians not prepared to let striker go cheaply

Last updated: 27th November 2008

andrei arshavin russia

Arshavin: Wants Zenit exit

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Zenit St Petersburg president Alexander Dyukov has insisted there have been no bids for Andrei Arshavin.

Arshavin was linked with a move away from Russia during the summer but Zenit fought hard to keep their star forward.

Speculation has increased again with the Russian domestic season now over, but Dyukov has once more warned that it will be difficult for anyone to prise Arshavin away from the club.

The likes of Real Madrid and Tottenham have been interested in Arshavin in the past but nobody has yet stepped up their pursuit.

"It's not correct to talk about letting Arshavin go. We can't simply let him go," he told reporters.

"It was his decision to sign a long-term contract on very good terms and he got a serious profit from it.

"He became the highest paid player in Russia so we won't release him for free.

"We will look at possibilities if we have bids for him.

"At the moment Arshavin wants to go but we don't have any offers."

Strike

Arshavin recently stated that he would not play for the Uefa Cup winners next season and that if the club refused to release him he would remain a Zenit player 'on paper only'.

Dyukov doubts whether Arshavin would go on strike but maintains that such behaviour would not be tolerated.

"If Arshavin stays at Zenit next season and decides to strike it will be the end of his football career," Dyukov explained.

"That would be his own decision and I don't think he will do it because he is a professional."

Zenit, who are also battling to keep Anatoly Timoschuk amid interest from Bayern Munich, are determined for their demands to be met.

Coach Dick Advocaat said: "The speculation is not interesting. Arshavin will always have teams that will want him.

"The main question is whether they have the money to pay for his transfer."