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Barcelona make formal bid for Arshavin

26/06/2008

Spainsh giants FC Barcelona have made a formal approach to Zenit St Petersburg for Russia playmaker Andrei Arshavin.

The Uefa Cup champions have confirmed that Barca had lodged an official bid to speak to Arshavin about a possible transfer to the Nou Camp this summer, following comments by the player this week that the Primera Liga side are his "dream" club.

However, Zenit sporting director Konstantin Sarsaniya has said the club will not enter into discussions until after Arshavin returns from international duty at Euro 2008.

"Barcelona has made a formal proposal to Zenit for the purchase of Arshavin," Sarsaniya told Russian publication Sovietski Sport.

"We will only talk about this once Andrei returns to Zenit."

Meanwhile, Barcelona vice president Ferran Soriano has confirmed the Catalan side's interest in Arshavin.

But he denied the 27-year-old had only caught the eye of their scouts at this summer's European Championships, saying he has been on their transfer shortlist since being spotted playing for Zenit in the Uefa Cup late last season.

"We are interested in Arshavin. But it won't be easy to sign him because all teams want him now," Soriano told Spanish media outlet Mundo Deportivo.

"Our interest isn't sudden since we have been following him discretely for a few months now.

"We were under the impression that he played in midfield, but now we have seen that in big games with his national team he plays on the flank.

"That has dispelled any doubt and this is the profile of a player we would like to sign."

Arshavin is currently preparing for tonight's second Euro 2008 semi-final, in which his Russia side face Spain for the right to meet Germany in Sunday's showpiece.