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Barcelona Ponder Move For Arsenal's Unsettled Arshavin - Report

The Spanish champions could finally grant the Russian's wish...

Jul 4, 2009 4:40:40 PM

EPL: Andrey Arshavin, Portsmouth v Arsenal (PA)

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EPL: Andrey Arshavin, Portsmouth v Arsenal (PA)

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Andrey Arshavin

Barcelona are weighing up a move for Arsenal midfielder Andrei Arshavin, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The Russia international was very close to joining the Catalan outfit from Zenit St. Petersburg last summer, but the player's move to Camp Nou failed to materialise as the two clubs could not agree on a fee.

Arshavin then spent a few more months at Zenit before completing a reported €15 million switch to Arsenal in February on transfer deadline day.

Despite the player's positive contribution in north London, he has never hidden the fact that Barcelona were his favourite destination, having been quoted earlier this week in The Sun as saying he would be "happy" if given the opportunity to complete his dream switch to Barcelona.

According to the Spanish paper, Arshavin is unhappy at the Emirates Stadium and one of the reasons appears to be the UK tax law, which is a lot more strict when compared to the Spanish law.

The Russian star is believed to be high on coach Pep Guardiola's list of alternatives to Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, a roster that also contains Juan Manuel Mata of Valencia.

The main hindrance to the success of the deal appears to be the Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger, who regards Arshavin as a key player and does not want to let go of a player he paid €15 million for just a few months ago.

Luís Mira, Goal.com

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