Reading boss McDermott plays down move for Arsenal's Arshavin
Reading manager Brian McDermott does not expect Arsenal midfielder Andrei Arshavin to move to the Madejski Stadium during the transfer window, ESPN has reported.
The Russia international has been mentioned extensively in connection with the Royals, but though McDermott has in the past admitted his admiration for the player, he feels it is unlikely Arshavin swaps Arsenal red for Reading’s blue and white.
McDermott acknowledged the rumours linking his club with a move for the 31-year-old but dismissed the chances of the transfer happening. He said: “It's one that I've heard many times. He's an Arsenal player. I don't think he will be a Reading player.”
Arshavin has fallen out of favour under Arsene Wenger, spending the latter part of last season on loan at former club Zenit St. Petersburg and struggling to make an impact on the first team in this campaign. Arshavin has made only 11 appearances for the Gunners in 2012/13, scoring once against Coventry City in the League Cup in September and has not started a league game under Wenger this season.
McDermott added that he would be willing to splash the cash if the right player became available: “We haven't broken the bank, I certainly haven't in the last three years and we probably haven't in the last 12 years as a club.
“That's not to say that if a player came in that we felt was right for us, at the right cost, then the owner would have to make a decision to back that deal. Then we will wait and see. It's not a case of we wouldn't if it was right.”
See what the expert tipsters at OLBG are tipping on Arsenal v Liverpool
Related Articles
|