Monday, 24th October, 2011
Russian moneybags outfit Anzhi Makhachkala are ready to launch a double swoop on Arsenal in the January transfer window.
Anzhi are actively scanning their eyes across Europe’s elite sides for reinforcements and, after a series of big names were thrown into the mix, slightly more sensible thinking appears to have taken hold in Dagestan.
And the side that snapped up Samuel Eto’o in the summer are now keen on Arsenal midfielder Andrei Arshavin and his Gunners team-mate Sebastien Squillaci.
Arshavin has come in for much criticism due to a series of lacklustre displays for Arsenal this season, although he has been more willing to put in a shift for the shirt of late.
Nevertheless, the former Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder’s stock remains sky high in his homeland and, any hint that he is willing to end his English adventure will undoubtedly lead to a flurry of offers.
Anzhi will test the water with a bid of €12M, but will also expect French defender Squillaci to be included in the deal.
The Frenchman has struggled to impress in the English Premier League since landing at the Emirates from Sevilla last year and the chance of a lucrative payday in Russia could well appeal to the 31-year-old.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger may also welcome the opportunity to move Arshavin and Squillaci on to pastures new in January. Selling the pair would free up space on Arsenal’s wage bill and further allow Wenger to continue to reshape his side.
The Arsenal manager has been tipped to revive his interest in Marseille’s Lucho Gonzalez, while Lyon schemer Yoann Gourcuff remains a long-time target of the Frenchman, with his interest sure to be given a boost by Les Gones president Jean-Michel Aulas admitting the club must sell more players in January.
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