ANDREI Arshavin's agent insists his client is in no rush to find another club, and believes his eventual destination may depend on the outcome of some of the summer's other transfer sagas.
The Zenit St Petersburg playmaker was one of the stars of Euro 2008 with Russia, sparking speculation he was set for a move to one of Europe's top leagues following the tournament.
Yesterday, Zenit coach Dick Advocaat revealed he had given the 27-
year-old leave to decide on his future, with reports in the Russian press suggesting he is set to travel to London in the coming days to hold talks with Barclays Premier League duo Arsenal and Chelsea. Barcelona are also said to be interested in Arshavin, who has described a move to the Nou Camp as a "dream".
Advocaat is reportedly lining up Celtic misfit Derek Riordan as one of several players required to boost the Zenit squad who have qualified for next season's Champions League.
Advocaat is desperate to add to his squad for the club's debut in the Champions League and knows striker Riordan from his time in Scotland.
The Russian Premier-Liga resumed this weekend after a break for Euro 2008 and Zenit have eight league games in 24 days this month. However, Arshavin's agent, Dennis Lachter, has revealed there is no hurry for his player to find a new club.
"The push for Andrei Arshavin has only just got going," he told Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo.
"The summer transfer window doesn't close until August 31 and the clubs who are following him are only just warming up their engines."
Lachter went on to reveal that "Arshavin's future depends on what happens with (Arsenal duo Alexander) Hleb and (Emmanuel) Adebayor, as well as (Manchester United winger) Cristiano Ronaldo".
Arshavin admirers Barca are believed to be keen on signing both Hleb and Adebayor, meaning they may be out of the running for the Russian should they sign either one or both of the Arsenal players.
Should Hleb and/or Adebayor leave north London, that would appear to put the Gunners in a strong position to land the Zenit playmaker.
Perhaps the most confusing matter is the inclusion in the equation of Ronaldo, who is currently being courted by Real Madrid.
Arshavin's situation may be become clearer next week after Barcelona economic vice-president Ferran Soriano promised fans on Friday that "next week there will be news on Arshavin, Hleb, and Adebayor".
The full article contains 418 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
