Barça Consider January Arshavin Move

The Blaugrana were linked with the Russian playmaker at the end of last season, but were not prepared to meet his club's unrealistic evaluation and it was that demand that caused problems.

Arshavin stated that his dream was to move to Camp Nou and was furious after Zenit priced him out of being a part of Pep Guardiola's revolution at the Catalan club.

Tottenham Hotspur looked set to give him the way out that he then craved, but they too were reported to have found dealing with the Saint Petersburg outfit near-impossible and the deal collapsed.

Now though, Arshavin looks set to leave and Barcleona are busy weighing up whether they need the player to bolster what has already proven to be an enviable forward line.

"He is a very good player," Guardiola told Sport. "But I am working with the players that I have. For now this is how it is.

"When the market opens again we will decide if any position is needed, but I know that is a very good player."

Zenit are unlikely to demand the same €25 million fee that they wanted in the summer for the 27-year-old as they know that they could lose him on a free when his contract expires.

Barça are keen to add to the left of their midfield and, with Andrés Iniesta being injured, other players will be asked to play out of position to fill in.

Arshavin's ability to play in more than one position also makes him attractive to Guardiola as, like Alex Hleb and Iniesta, he likes to have the option to drag opponents around and cause a surprise.

Real Madrid are set to make a move for the player, too, while it is unknown if Spurs will rekindle their interest. Given the photo of Arshavin posing with a Barça shirt in Sport, though, they clearly have the upper hand.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com