Arsenal & Chelsea Battle It Out For Russian Midfielder

By Football Talk Published: 11th June 2012

The summer transfer window is open and Football Talk will bring you all the latest transfer news. Today, Arsenal and Chelsea are linked with a Russian midfielder.

Arsenal are lining up Alan Dzagoev as a replacement for international team-mate Andrey Arshavin but will face competition from Chelsea, according to the Metro.

Arshavin re-joined Zenit St Petersburg on loan in February after struggling to make an impact at Arsenal during the first half of last season. Boss Arsene Wenger is now prepared to sell the 31-year-old, with a permanent move back to Zenit on the cards.

The Metro claim that the French boss will look to replace Arshavin with CSKA Moscow attacker Alan Dzagoev, who became an instant hero in his homeland after scoring two goals in Russia’s 4-1 win over the Czech Republic in their Euro 2012 opener on Friday.

The 21-year-old has already played over 100 games for CSKA and has five goals to his name from eight international caps, and is highly-regarded back in Russia.

With only one year remaining on his current contract, Dzagoev could be available on the cheap this summer, but Arsenal may face stiff competition from London rivals Chelsea who are also thought to be keeping tabs on the player.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich will continue to reshape his squad this summer with creativity and youth thought to be high on his agenda, and Dzagoev could fit the bill perfectly.

FT Verdict

Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with Dzagoev in the past but no doubt his price will have doubled after his brace for Russia, despite the fact he only has one year remaining on his contract.

His talent isn’t in question and if he continues to impress at the Euro’s i can see more clubs joining the chase and Arsenal won’t get into a ‘bidding war’. A move to Chelsea may be more plausible, and Abramovich may be able to use his Russian connections to make the transfer happen.

Would you like to see Dzagoev at your club? Get involved in the comments section.

Archufusim Abuchi says:

Dzagoev is a good player and he will be a good signing for us. Bravo chelsea!

1:17 pm on June 11, 2012

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Bryn says:

Dzagoev would be a strange signing, we have more than enough quality in his position with Hulk, Marin, Mata, Hazard, Malouda, Ramires, Benayoun, de Bruyne competing for 3 places and Feruz, Piazon, Bamford, Kakuta etc ready to come through the ranks. Nevertheless he has unquestionable quality and would love to see him at the Bridge. Roman sign him up!

3:56 pm on June 11, 2012

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Fumba Janga says:

Dzagoev is a good player but we dont need to sign him because we have player more than him.

4:02 pm on June 11, 2012

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abdi says:

I would lake to come arsenal

8:03 pm on June 11, 2012

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J.A.R.K says:

I like dzagoev because of his creative impark and can play well.he a gud replacement for arshavin,y always romour wenger buy!

1:01 am on June 12, 2012

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J.A.R.K says:

Buy to win da wil let our best player to stat.

1:04 am on June 12, 2012

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J.A.R.K says:

We do not need any ingrate like nasri at arsenal.wenger buy nasri not

1:09 am on June 12, 2012

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J.t wunubo says:

He is a good player but wenger should maintain RVP and bring M’Villa and Nigerian international attacker Uchi.

4:56 am on June 12, 2012

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gidion mukila says:

blues will b a threat 2 any opponent next season due 2 their big signigs bravo!! chelsea

10:01 am on June 12, 2012

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Zanga zanga says:

We love chlesea

5:57 pm on June 12, 2012

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Lavert says:

Plz dnt register turnbull.we wnt blackman as second,let go of danny,flrent,paulo,.induct feruz,lucas,blackman.4gt abt modric,felliani,jovetic.blue 4 lyf.

8:06 pm on June 22, 2012

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Alan Frank says:

Alan Dzagoev should never go to Arsenal they ruined a great player in Arshavin. It will be interesting to see if Roman wants to buy him?

4:41 am on June 23, 2012

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Afeez says:

I like Alan dzagoev because is a good midfielder.up gunner

9:54 am on July 10, 2012

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