Zenit St Petersburg have released a statement saying they have agreed a fee with Arsenal for Andrei Arshavin.
And the only obtacle is that personal terms have yet to be agreed between Arshavin and Arsenal.
“The fundamental understanding of the transfer of the player has been acheived between the clubs. The basic obstacle is Andrei Arshavin’s personal requirements.”
Arsenal earlier offered £12million plus another possible three million depending on the player’s future performances, for Arshavin.
Zenit turned the offer down, but ANR understands that Zenit faxed a new payment proposal to Arsenal on Sunday evening, the day before Arsenal’s deadline with the option of paying the transfer fee over a longer period. The Zenit board agreed the fee late on Monday evening.
The changing value of the pound is said to have added complications to the move.
In other news, Tomas Rosicky has begun training at London Colney, but on his own and no ball work, after a year out with two operations. His agent Pavel Paska “It is a huge and positive advance in his situation. It’s a sign of hope that shows this difficult period in Tomas’ career is close to coming to an end.”
Arsenal are ranked seventh on Forbes magazine’s list of the world’s top 10 most valuable sports franchises, with an estimated wealth of $1.2 billion (£857m).
Young football players in Bahrain will be offered the chance to sample Premiership-style coaching when Arsenal open a soccer school later this year – after club officials spotted the potential of youngsters kicking about on waste ground.
The school will bring professional soccer coaching and facilities to children of all nationalities living in the kingdom, encouraging and teaching the youngsters to ‘Play the Arsenal Way’.
Meanwhile Abu Ogogo has extended his loan with Barnet until the end of the season. Ogogo went back to the Emirates Stadium last week due to a muscle injury, but the defender is back at Underhill.