Arshavin set to rejoin Zenit in £8m deal rather than Lazio
Yesterday it was widely reported that the Serie A club Lazio were keen on making a move for Arsenal’s out-of-favour midfielder Andrei Arshavin, but according to a report this morning it is already decided that he will be moving back to the Russian League with Zenit St. Petersburg.
Recently Arsenal gave Arshavin a pay rise to compensate for his losses from the new tax codes, but made no attempt to extend his contract and are quite happy for him to move on at the end of the season.
Arshavin himself has announced that he would turn down any big money offer from FC Anzhi and would only play for Zenit in Russia after spending eight happy years there before moving to the Emirates.
Arshavin’s reputation in England has taken a nosedive in the last year, but he is still Russia’s captain and is still revered in his hoomeland where he was recently named the Athlete-of-the-Year for the fourth time in succession, and Zenit are hoping that he will recapture his former glory back on familiar ground.
The Star reports that the midfielder has already told his friends that he will be moving back to his homeland this summer ans it seems an £8m deal has already been agreed with Arsenal, which is a 50% return on the £15m that Wenger paid for him in 2009.
