Arsenal last night agreed a fee - believed to be £15million - to sign Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg.

The 27-year-old is expected to travel to London this week to finalise terms, with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger confident of landing the Russia star after tortuous negotiations.

The Frenchman entertained Arshavin at Arsenal's training ground before Christmas and the forward is already thought to have virtually agreed personal terms, despite claims from Zenit last night that his wage demands were still a stumbling block.

The Russian club's board held a lengthy meeting that went on until late into the evening before emerging to announce that they had reached an agreement with the north London club.

Zenit said in a statement: 'Negotiations between Zenit and Arsenal on the transfer of Andrei Arshavin are continuing.

'The clubs have reached an agreement in principle on terms that both sides feel reflect the market value of the player.

'At the moment, the main obstacle in the implementation of the deal are the personal requirements of Andrei Arshavin.

'Andrei Arshavin does not intend to reduce the demands of his personal contract, thus hindering the negotiation process and calling into question all the agreements reached between the clubs.'

There were claims that Arshavin was seeking close to £110,000 a week - about double his current wages - but his agent Dennis Lachter refused to comment.

It is unlikely that Arsenal and the player would be so far apart as Lachter has been sanctioned by the Zenit to talk directly to clubs since the Russian season finished in November.

The Euro 2008 star is desperate to test himself at a higher level and is aware that no other club have made an acceptable offer for his services this month.

Earlier this month he told Sportsmail he hoped the clubs would reach an agreement and, while waiting for a decision this week, he indicated that Zenit's valuation was the only barrier to a move.

'I'm waiting for a final decision,' he said. 'The talks don't depend on me. I haven't been in touch with the club management, so I haven't heard a clear "yes" or "no" yet.'

Arshavin is set to leave Zenit's training camp in Dubai en route to London, though may have to return to Russia first to secure a visa.

He played no part in a friendly on Saturday against the Uzbekistan national team and Zenit coach Dick Advocaat last night suggested that his departure was imminent.

'I think there will be news on Tuesday,' said the former Rangers boss. 'I am constantly in touch with (club general director) Maxim Mitrofanov and I look forward to the latest news.' Arsenal refused to comment.

Adapted from Dailymail

All right. So he is coming soon, right? I hope so. I went to NewsNow, thinking that Arshavin's not going to come to Arsenal as it is past the supposed deadline for the deal. However, NewsNow was full of stories of Arshavin coming to Arsehal. Woah..how fast news spreads. HAHA. I read in another article that Arshavin and Arsenal have agreed personal terms..so I wonder why the wage demands pose a problem now. Regardless, Andrei should know that Arsenal abides by a strict wage structure. Furthermore, the deal offered to him will make him one of the top earners at Arsenal. And I guess that is quite a lot for a new player. Don't forget the fact that he is quite untested..and he has never played in the English Premier League before. And even Nasri, who is supposedly Arsenal's current record-breaking signing, does not earn as much as Arshavin could. So, it sounds like a lucrative deal to me. However, none of us know the inside story. So yea..and I heard Usmanov is paying for the Arshavin transfer. (: Anyway, hope to see Arshavin in the Arsenal colours as soon as possible (:

Andy Murray lost ): ): ):

I am now rooting for Nadal, Tsonga and Simon. One of them BETTER win the Australian Open.

Anyway, I'm off now. I am going to watch Eagle Eye online. Shia Labeouf (:(: Anyway, off now.

BUH-BYEE!

<333

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