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Chelsea 'still in Arshavin race'

03/07/2008

Chelsea are still in the running to sign Andrei Arshavin, the Russian ace's club have said.

Spanish giants Barcelona were thought to be leading the race to secure the signature of Arshavin, one of the undoubted stars of Euro 2008.

But Zenit St Petersburg spokesman Konstantin Sarsania said Arshavin and his agent were due to clarify their position when they leave the national team's training camp on Thursday.

"My understanding was that he would like to go play abroad," he explained.

"But he isn't only interested in moving to Barcelona. There's also Chelsea. Andrei never rejected the idea of moving there."

Sarsania added that Chelsea officials had already been in contact with the 27-year-old forward's representative.

"The Chelsea managers know the situation and have already talked to his agent."

Blues owner Roman Abramovich has reportedly asked new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari to sign at least one of Russia's Euro 2008 stars after Guus Hiddink guided the nation to the semi-finals.

Arshavin, who is a self-professed Barcelona fan, tops Chelsea's list, although left-sided midfielder Yuri Zhirkov, striker Roman Pavlyuchenko or goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev have also been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.