Zenit rubbish Chelsea speculation
by Adam Marshall, 04 July 2008
Zenit St Petersburg have flatly denied speculation from England that Andrei Arshavin has flown to London to discuss a move to Chelsea and also accused Barcelona of trying to sign him on the cheap.
The impish Russia playmaker was training with his Zenit colleagues despite his Euro 2008 exertions as Barcelona remain the only club to table a formal bid for his services.
It has been suggested that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has set his sights on bringing the classy forward to Stamford Bridge but any transfer would seem a long way off.
"We have no information that Arshavin could leave the training ground on Friday," said spokesman Alexei Blinov to RIA Novosti.
"We have seen this news but do not know about it."
Director Maxim Mitrofanov was equally confused by the reports eminating from the English capital.
"There are currently a huge number of rumours about a transfer for Zenit's star player Andrei Arshavin to one of the western clubs," he stated to Radio Zenit.
"No other clubs, including English teams and Chelsea, have been in contact.
"Zenit's position is to keep our leading player.
"But we respect Andrei's wishes when he speaks of one of the western championships but, unfortunately, Barcelona have deliberately reduced the valuation of the Russia forward.
"For the amount, which Barcelona propose us, we cannot sell Arshavin.
"Finally, the fate of the player will be resolved on July 15."