'Dreywatch: Re-signing Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin a priority says Zenit St Petersburg coach
'Dreywatch: Re-signing Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin a priority says Zenit St Petersburg coach
Russian is a free agent now his Gunners contract has expired and also has interest from MLS, Turkey and the Middle East
Hat's your lot: Record-signing Arshavin is leaving Arsenal on a free
Christof Koepsel / Getty
Andrey Arshavin is being offered a ticket back to Zenit St Petersburg.
The Russian midfielder, Arsenal's record signing, is a free agent after his £90,000-a-week contract expired at the Emirates.
Arshavin, who turns 32 on Wednesday, is determined to carry on playing, and is seeking a three-year deal.
There has been interest from North America's Major League Soccer, Turkish side Fenerbahce and the Middle East.
But Zenit boss Luciano Spalletti claims that Arshavin should be a priority and would be welcomed back in Russia.
Spalletti said: "Andrey is an interesting player for any big club in Russia because he is charismatic and has quality.
"I
believe there is a commitment within the club as a priority for a
possible return to Russia, but I can't say whether there have been any
negotiations."
Following a £15million move from Zenit in 2009,
Arshavin wowed Arsenal fans by scoring four goals in one game against
Liverpool at Anfield, but didn't kick on as hoped.
He even had a loan spell back at Zenit in the second half of the 2011-12 season.
Arshavin and defender Sebastien Squillaci are already off Arsenal's books in what should be a big summer of comings and goings at the Emirates, and boss Arsene Wenger also wants rid of strikers Nicklas Bendtner and Marouane Chamakh and midfielder Denilson.
That would free up cash for transfers and also give them in excess of £300,000-a-week for player contracts.
Arsenal are desperate to sign a new first-choice keeper, with QPR's Brazilian international Julio Cesar on their radar, and Wenger has also admitted an interest in Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier.
A
striker remains a priority, but long-time target Stevan Jovetic, of
Fiorentina, is hoping to move to Juventus rather than Arsenal.
That would be a blow for Wenger, as he has been tracking the Montenegro international for months and there have been provisional talks.
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