Barcelona refused to sign Arshavin: club

AFP, July, 2008

MOSCOW (AFP) — Spanish club Barcelona refused to increase their initial 15-million-euro bid for Russian international forward Andrei Arshavin, Saint Petersburg side Zenit official site announced Monday.

"Spanish football club Barcelona refused to improve their original 15-million-euro offer for our striker Arshavin," Zenit general director Maxim Mitrofanov said.

He added that Zenit received no other offers to sign the striker from any other clubs.

"We are not holding any talks with any other clubs concerning the transfer of our forward Arshavin," Mitrofanov said.

His comments came amid rumours that Arshavin is set to fly to London soon to undergo a medical before signing for either Arsenal or Chelsea of the English Premiership.

Earlier...