Which London club will sign Andrey Arshavin?

Andrey Arshavin appears set for the exit door at Arsenal as the signings of Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla have pushed him even lower down the pecking order at the Emirates. But after initially struggling to settle in the capital the inside scoop is he has turned down offers so far this summer in order to stay in London where his family have now settled.

So which of the capital clubs will want to buy him and do they have a chance?

Chelsea

Despite the obvious Russian connection between Roman Abramovich and the former Zenit St Petersburg star this one is never going to happen. Chelsea have reinforced there wing and playmaker positions immensely this summer with much younger talent as Di Matteo looks toward the future the 31 year old would not fit into those plans.

Likelihood factor: 1 out of 5

Tottenham

Again a move to North London rivals Spurs is unlikely. AVB has previous in trying to use youth more than purchasing players into their 30’s not to mention the taboo of moving from The Emirates to White Hart Lane.

Likelihood factor: 0 out of 5

Fulham

Fulham have been reportedly interested in the Russian and with Martin Jol favouring a fluid attacking style of play Arshavin undoubtedly fits that necessity. With a good previous working relationship with Dutch coaches with Guus Hiddink for Russia and Dick Advocaat at Zenit and again the national team this one seems the more likely the more you think about it, however a lot will depend on the future of Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele.

Likelihood Factor: 4 out of 5

QPR

They have been buying plenty of players in the window but already have many players who can play up front and he just doesn’t strike me as a player Mark Hughes would want to sign. I think a move to QPR is unlikely but the only thing this deal has going for it is that The Hoops could afford him.

Likelihood factor: 3 out of 5

West Ham

They haven’t been linked with the man who stole the show four years ago at Euro 2008 and inspired his Zenit team to European glory in the same year; but West Ham could afford the stocky trickster. Sam Allardyce has a history of helping past stars resurrect their career and the recent acquisition of Alou Diarra shows he hasn’t given that hobby up. This one could rear up.

Likelihood factor: 3 out of 5

Reading

Now don’t worry my geography isn’t poor I do realise Reading is not a London club but it is only a short journey away and Berkshire is a pretty good place to raise a family if the truth about Arshavin’s reservations about a return to Russia or a Galatasary switch are correct. Plus, Reading have a new Russian owner in Anton Zingarevich who has money to spend, not to mention former Zenit team-mate Pavel Pogrebnyak signing on at the club this summer. Sounds ludicrous at first but stranger things have happened.

Likelihood factor: 2 out of 5

Will Arshavin stay in the Premier League or move out to Europe this summer?

image: © Ronie Macdonald