Russia forward Andrei Arshavin has revealed he only wants to play for Barcelona.
The news will come as a blow to several English clubs who had expressed an interest in signing the player.
“Arshavin wants to move to Barcelona – he doesn’t want to play anywhere else,” a Zenit spokesman told BBC Sport.
However, Zenit’s asking price for Arshavin may prove to be a major stumbling block in any potential deal.
“Barcelona have made an offer but we are still negotiating with them. I don’t know when a decision will be made but I think Arshavin will leave the club,” added the Zenit spokesman.
The negotiating could be over the “£20m to £25m” fee Zenit coach Dick Advocaat expects for his striker.
“Andrei won’t play until things are all cleared up,” confirmed Advocaat.
“It’s a joint decision. Better put, I told him he shouldn’t play and he agreed.”