Arsenal deny claims that any deal that had been done.

• limpper

  27 Jan 09, 17:04

  

  The Arsenal transfer Target, Andrei Arshavin.

   

  Arsenal's bid to land Andrei Arshavin remains ongoing, despite Zenit St Petersburg announcing a fee had been agreed for the Russian international.

  While Zenit released a statement claiming personal terms were now the only obstacle in the way of completing the protracted transfer saga, it is understood a deal between the clubs has yet to be officially reached.

  Although the Russians have softened their stance over the original £20million demanded for the 27-year-old playmaker, Arsenal remain resolute in their offer of £12million plus add ons and, as yet, no further improved bid has been tabled.

  Nevertheless, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger remains keen to land his number one transfer target before the transfer window closes on February.

  Wenger is set to speak to the media at a press conference ahead of the Barclays Premier League trip to Everton, when he will again face questions for an update on what has now become a protracted saga.

  Zenit's statement, released late on Monday night, had hinted at an imminent conclusion.

  "The fundamental understanding over the transfer of the player is achieved between the clubs," read the statement.

  "At the moment the basic obstacle in realisation of the transaction is Andrei Arshavin's personal requirements."

  Arshavin, reportedly also attracting interest from Spain, is waiting for the "final decision" over his move.

  He told Russian newspaper Sport Express: "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.

• limpper

  27 Jan 09, 17:08

  Arshavin's Arsenal move held up by wage demands.

   

  Sports news in brief from around the world on Tuesday.

  Soccer - Zenit St Petersburg have agreed an outline deal to sell Andrei Arshavin to London side Arsenal but the playmaker's demands are holding up a final agreement, the Russian club said.

  "An agreement in principle has been reached between the clubs on the player's transfer on terms that suit both sides and which are in line with the footballer's true market value," Zenit said in a statement late on Monday.

  "At the moment Andrei Arsharvin's personal demands are the main obstacle to implementing the deal."

  NFL - The Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers hired new defensive coordinators on Monday, the clubs said.

  The Ravens promoted linebackers coach Greg Mattison and the Panthers hired former Indianapolis Colts coordinator Ron Meeks.

  Soccer - Glasgow Rangers midfielder Brahim Hemdani has been dropped from Algeria's squad for their World Cup warm-up against Benin next month.

  Hemdani, who has not played for his Scottish club this season, was left out of the squad named by the Algerian Football Federation for the match in Blida on Feb. 11.

  The game serves as a warm-up for both countries, who begin the final phase of African qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup at the end of March.

  Soccer - Paris St Germain have denied newspaper reports that 21-year-old midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu was on trial at Premier League side West Bromwich Albion.

  "The midfielder is still part of Paris St Germain's professional squad," the Ligue 1 club said in a statement posted on its website (www.psg.fr) on Tuesday. (Editing by John O'Brien)