With the world in the grip of a credit crunch the the player who is currently on £90,000 a week could drop his wage demands to seal a move to Arsenal.
Russia star Arshavin, 27, who signed a new deal at Zenit last April that included a £24m buy-out clause - which had put off Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.
Rumours continue to circulate about a January move for Arshavin, although he has rarely been out of the headlines since he originally said he wanted to leave Zenit in the summer, while the player is restating his desire to leave there has so far been no firm moves for him.
Although his agent Dennis Latcher has tried to delay transfer talk until after the competion of the Champions League group phases.
Spartak Moscow have announced that their Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko is poised to join Spurs.
“A deal has been agreed between the clubs and the transfer may be concluded by Thursday,” said a club spokesman.
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Konstantin Zyryanov scored a late penalty to help Russia earn a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in a friendly on Wednesday.
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie’s first-half strike gave the visitors a deserved 1-0 lead with the Dutch eager to avenge their defeat by Guus Hiddink’s men in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals two months ago, by putting one past keeper Igor Akinfeyev, with a delicate curling left-footed shot into the top corner from just outside the area in the 25th minute.
The home team fielded an almost identical lineup to that which beat the Netherlands 3-1 in their last meeting during the European Championship in June. The Dutch were missing defender Khalid Boulahrouz and midfielders Wesley Sneijder and Orlando Engelaar through injury as well as goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and forward Ruud van Nistelrooy, who retired from the international game after Euro 2008.
The Russians stunned the much-fancied Dutch 3-1 in extra time at the European Championship in June, securing their best showing at a major tournament in Twenty years and a personal victory for Hiddink over his home country.
The Dutch, who recorded a comfortable 4-1 win over Russia in a friendly in Amsterdam in February last year, dominated for much of the lively encounter at Moscow’s Lokomotiv stadium, with van Persie being the most active for the visitors until he was substituted by Ibrahim Afellay midway through the second half.
The Russians lost their top striker Roman Pavlyuchenko to injury late in the first half but escaped with a draw when Zyryanov calmly slotted home from the spot for the equaliser 12 minutes from time after Giovanni van Bronckhorst fouled Dmitry Torbinsky inside the box.
Arshavin was substituted in the 86th minute when Roman Vorobyev took the field.
Dutch substitute Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink wasted a great chance in added time when he was left alone in front of Russia’s goal, but Akinfeyev made a fine save from close range.
With the transfer window closure getting closer by the day, Zenit St Petersburg have been reported to have made English club Spurs a take it leave it offer for the in demand player who is being lined up as a possible replacement for Robbie Keane and considering that Dimitar Berbatov may also soon be leaving White Hart Lane Spurs will need more firepower.
Its reported that Spurs have already agreed personal terms with Arshavin although the club have yet to agree a transfer fee for the player.
Dennis Lachter Andrei Arshavin’s agent believes a deal can still be made, taking to Sky Sports News he said ‘Zenit asked for €25million (£19.7million) for the transfer of Arshavin, this is the last price of the team.’
‘Four days ago in a private meeting with one of the Tottenham representatives, it was take it or leave it, that is the last price.
‘I have got to talk with president of Zenit, Alexander Dukov, if he wants to buy somebody he needs to sell somebody, so he is pushing for Zenit himself to sell Andrei as he understands the contribution of the player.
‘We still have a lot of time and from my experience a lot of deals are finalised close to the end of the window, so we will see.’
Andrei himself has commented on his official website ‘My story continues. For those who are interested, I think we will have a final decision in the coming days.
‘What will it be? That is difficult to answer.’
Spanish club Barcelona are potentially still in the hunt for the signature of Andrei. Barca’s head coach Josep Guardiola is reported to be still interested however Arshavin is only one of many potential new signings going to the Nou Camp.
“There are a lot of interesting players in the market that Barça have the chance to sign. Arshavin is one of them but these things are in the air still,” Guardiola told reporters.
“The team will be competitive whatever happens, I have no doubt about that.”
Tottenham Hotspur have taken the lead in the race to sign Andrei Arshavin.
The London club look to have overtaken local rivals, Arsenal, in the race for the Russian’s signature. Reports say a bid of £16 Million has been rejected by Zenit, who are looking for over £20 Million for their star player.
Rumours suggest Arshavin’s agent has fueled this by saying Andrei would be keen to join Spurs. This sale would be funded by the sale of striker Robbie Keane to Liverpool for a reported £20 Million, while rumous are rife regarding the future of current Spurs player, Berbatov, with Manchester United known to be interested in the player.