Andrei Arshavin - Now Inter Milan Want a Piece of the Action

Arshavin to Inter Milan?

The Andrei Arshavin transfer saga has taken another twist with reports that Inter Milan may be interested in him, which would of course prevent Arsenal from signing him. It is well-known that there is no love lost between Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger, who Mourinho once famously described as a "voyeur".

Arsenal are reported to have increased their initial offer of €11 million to around €13.5 million plus a further €6 million based on appearances and results.

However, The Daily Star is reporting that Zenit St. Petersburg want €27.5 million, a long way off what Arsene Wenger is willing to pay.

The claim is that Inter Milan are ready to pay around €16.5 million and if Adriano is going to Tottenham then Mourinho has said he will need another striker, but with Drogba unhappy at Chelsea there is a distinct possibility that he would like to join his old boss at Inter Milan. However, €16.5 million can hardly be called an improvement on the €13.5 plus €6 million being offered by Arsenal.

Another sticking point appears to be that Arshavin's agent, Dennis Lachter, wants €5.5 million of any fee paid to Zenit.

Manchester City were said to be interested in Arshavin but it now appears their prime target is Kaka from AC Milan for whom they appear willing to pay £100 million, which is more than double the previous record of £46 million for Zidane. If they did sign Kaka of course, perhaps Arshavin would be more enthusiastic about a move to Manchester. But it is also likely that if City pay £100 million for Kaka then Zenit would probably increase the price they want for Arshavin.

I was leaning towards Arshavin signing for Manchester City, but with today's development I now think Arsenal are more likely to sign him, as I am not taking the Inter Milan rumour too seriously.