Andrei Arshavin’s agent is confident the player is close to completing a move to Tottenham.
Dennis Lachter admits that the Zenit St Petersburg forward was not that keen when Tottenham initially expressed an interest but he is now eager to join Spurs.
Arshavin made it clear earlier in the summer that he would prefer to join Barcelona, but Lachter claims his client has been won over by Spurs and particularly coach Juande Ramos.
“Andrei is ready to move to Tottenham, now it just depends on Zenit,” Lachter told Sovietsky Sport.
“Arshavin changed his decision [about joining Spurs] due to excellent interest from Spurs.
“They are the one team that fully agreed his contract demands and ready to pay almost the full price that Zenit wants.
“Juande Ramos called Andrei and described his vision of football and his vision of Andrei’s future in the team.
“Ramos said that Arshavin will be a key player of his team and he is highly interested in this deal.
“Spurs had the money for Andrei all the time and their interest isn’t new. But Zenit doesn’t want to say that they have an official offer from Tottenham. But they have it.”
Reports in Russia claim Zenit want to keep Arshavin for the European Super Cup encounter with Manchester United on 29th August in Monaco. But, according to Lachter, Arshavin is keen for the move to be completed before then.
“I don’t think the deal can be delayed until the Super Cup against Manchester United because I’m unsure that today’s Arshavin can be useful for Zenit,” he continued.
“I hope that Zenit will collect themselves. I know the high level of professionalism of Zenit’s new president [Alexander] Dukov and his great personality.”
Zenit sporting director Konstantin Sarsaniya admits that a deal with Spurs could be imminent.
“We have certain contacts with Tottenham, but when they will conclude, I still do not know,” Sarsaniya told Sports.ru.
“Maybe within five days, maybe sooner, maybe later.
“Tottenham have an interest in the player, and I understand that the player has an interest in the club too.”
