January 7th, 2009
11:10 AM ET

Arshavin close to Arsenal move

Stay up to date with all the comings and goings in the transfer window with CNN.com's daily wrap of all the latest rumors and gossip from Europe's sports pages.

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/07/art.andrei.jpg caption="Zenit St Petersburg and Russia forward Andrei Arshavin could be heading to Arsenal if wages are agreed."]

LONDON, England - Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin is poised to leave Zenit St. Petersburg in a £10 million move to English Premier League side Arsenal, the Daily Mirror reports.

Arshavin, one of the outstanding performers at Euro 2008, arrived in London Monday for talks with Arsenal representatives with a view to signing a three-year deal after Zenit conceded their initial £20 million asking price was unrealistic.

Arshavin's agent Dennis Lachter told the Mirror: "It's like that famous movie ‘show me the money.' It's just like that. The appetite of Zenit is huge. If they realize times have changed then the Andrei move could be very possible."

The Daily Star reports that Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia is the subject of massive demand this January. They say Fulham, Sunderland, Stoke City, Blackburn and Tottenham are all considering him as a defensive option for the latter half of the season.

West Ham are closing in on making a sale, The Times reports. It's believed Matthew Etherington could be headed for Stoke City, while the east London club is said to be considering a revised offer for Scott Parker from Manchester City. Any deal could include City's Michael Johnson joining the Hammers.

Carlos Tevez is still making headlines as The Sun says Manchester United are now prepared to offload the Argentinian striker to Real Madrid.

Tottenham have had a £14.5 million bid rejected for Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing, the Sun says. Aston Villa are in the hunt for Sporting Gijon defender Roberto Canella and could be ready to pay £10 million for the 20-year-old Spaniard.

It has also been widely reported that Premier League Bolton plan to trial to 31-year-old Brazilian winger Denilson, who was once the world's most expensive footballer.

Inter Milan are also in the news Wednesday as the Daily Mirror says the Italian club is offering Brazilian striker Adriano in a potential swap-deal for Manchester City's early season disappointment, Jo.

Also out of Italy, Franco Semioli, the Fiorentina winger who has represented his country on three occasions is said to have caught the eye of Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce.

French champions Lyon insist that highly sought after forward Karim Benzema isn't going anywhere, despite Real Madrid joining his list of suitors, according to L'Equipe.

Paris Saint Germain's 18-year-old French defender Mamadou Sakho, previously linked with Arsenal and Newcastle, is wanted by Juventus, L'Equipe reports. Juve have also joined the race to sign Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski, according to Tuttosport.

Ukrainian forward Andriy Voronin, currently on loan at Hertha Berlin after being deemed surplus to requirements by Rafa Benitez at Liverpool, has been targeted by Schalke, the Daily Mail reports.

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