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Chelsea on alert after Barca's Arshavin bid rejected

07/07/2008

Chelsea are expected to make a formal offer for Russia forward Andrei Arshavin after his club broke off transfer talks with Barcelona.

Zenit St Petersburg said they had ended negotiations with the Catalan giants after they failed to match their asking price.

Arshavin, 27, was one of the undoubted stars of Euro 2008 and his club manager Dick Advocaat says he is worth at least £20 million.

He appeared destined for a move to the Nou Camp after stating his lifelong ambition to play for Barcelona.

But a statement from Zenit general director Maxim Mitrofanov said Barcelona's offer of £12 million had fallen far short of the club's valuation own valuation of the player.

"Barcelona have failed to improve their original offer of €15 million (£12 million)," he said in a statement on the club's official website.

"We decided to end our negotiations with the Spanish club."

Chelsea are the only other serious contenders for the Russian's signature although Premier League rivals Arsenal have also been linked with a bid should Alexander Hleb leave the Emirates – potentially to Barcelona.

But Zenit insisted Barca are still the only club to submit an offer for their star player.

"We have not received any offers for Arshavin from any other clubs, therefore there are no discussions going on about his transfer," the statement added.