[Torque]

Zenit St Petersburg forward Andrei Arshavin has all-but conceded he will not be joining Tottenham.



The talented schemer has been a long-term target for Spurs boss Juande Ramos but the North London club have failed to concur on a fee with their Russian counterparts.

Zenit have been steadfast in their £24million asking price; a figure which the Tottenham board have baulked at in turning their attention elsewhere.

Arshavin, who was dropped by Zenit for the recent league game against Krylya Sovetov Samara, is currently in Monaco preparing for Friday night's Super Cup clash with Manchester United.

The player has made no secret of his desire to move to the Premier League but is now ready to accept he is unlikely to join Spurs, who are set to announce the signing of Arshavin's international team-mate Roman Pavlyuchenko within the next 48 hours.

"I have a feeling we can put this story to bed," he told Sport Express.

"I think with the purchase of Pavlyuchenko the idea of Arshavin (moving) to London no longer exists.

When quizzed on whether he saw his future at Zenit, he replied: "It looks that way."
Valencia interest

Arshavin's agent Dennis Lachter admits that Zenit's asking price for his client looks likely to prohibit his departure, with Valencia the only club who still hold a tangible interest.

"Villarreal have dropped out [of negotiations]," Lachter told Russian newspaper Sovetsky Sport. "That club are not going to buy Andrei.

"The only team who are interested in Arshavin at the moment is Valencia.

"However, the transfer will only go through if Real Madrid buy striker David Villa from Valencia."

Sky Sports | Football | News | Arshavin admits Spurs defeat

That means no Berbatov for us, which means we're screwed, again!

I don't really like the idea of getting as much money as possible by selling your player. If he wants to go and you've already brought a replacement, which was far more cheaper, why would you ask so much money for him? You already benefit a lot from this transfer, which is in everybody's interest.

[T-Bone]

Shouldnt have any ramifications on the Berbatov deal. Arshavin isnt a direct replacement anyway.
Pavlychenko is in London for a medical and he IS a direct replacement.
With Saha now gone, Im sure Fergie knows what he's doing. Berba will be with us soon.

[Torque]

Originally Posted by T-Bone

Berba will be with us soon.

I doubt that. Only two days left + Fergie's statement at the press conference.

Arshavin is an attacking midfielder, thus he would have brought more striking force. Even with Pavlyuchenko, I doubt Ramos will be willing to sell Berbatov, despite his attitude.

[JamesRoyale]

according to sky sports news, Spurs are only willing to offer 16 mil, deemed far to little by zenit who still want around 20.

if they dont end up selling berbatov then we really need someone from somewhere. We have gone from our attack being unstoppable last season to it being our most needed area to strengthen.

i hope fergie knows what he is doing, becuase we cant afford a bad season.

[manutd004]

I actually heard today that Spurs had made an offer of 25m euros for Arshavin, which is about £20.5m but I can't remember where

Tbh, I don't think the Pavlychenko deal will change the Berbatov situation. If Spurs were to sell Berbatov, they would only have 2 strikers.

Time is running out for us to sign anyone, never mind Berbatov.