Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin close to January loan move to Reading

Arsenal outcast Andrey Arshavin is close to sealing a January move to relegation-threatened Reading.

The Gunners signed him for £15million in 2009 but he has held talks over a switch to the Madejski Stadium, where billionaire Russian owner Anton Zingarevich wants the 31-year-old - a superstar in their homeland - to bolster his struggling squad.

Arsenal are listening to offers for Arshavin, out of contract at the end of the season, as they try to shift his £85,000-a-week contract off the wage bill.


Arsenal, who are willing to take a hefty loss on the forward, could offload him for as little as £2m.

Sources close to Arshavin insist he is taking the offer seriously, given his frustration at Arsenal and the chance to link up with compatriot Zingarevich.

Reading have made an informal offer for Arshavin, who has been told he can leave if he can find the right deal for him and Arsenal straight away. His old club Zenit St Petersburg are keen, as are Fulham.

Reading midfielder Jimmy Kebe recently criticised Zingarevich for not splashing the cash during the summer after the club won the npower Championship.
 
With Reading still six points off safety at the halfway stage, McDermott wants to inject some top-flight experience into his squad during the transfer window.