Zenit poised to re-sign Tymoshchuk, say 'nyet' to Arshavin

Posted Friday, May 24, 2013 by YAHOO Sport

Former Zenit St Petersburg captain Anatoliy Tymoshchuk is poised to rejoin the Russian club on a free transfer next season after spending four years at Bayern Munich.

"I don't see any problem of Tymoshchuk coming back," Zenit's Italian coach Luciano Spalletti told the club's website on Friday.

The 34-year-old Ukraine midfielder, who captained Zenit to the Russian league title in 2007 and the UEFA Cup the following year, moved to Bayern before the 2009-2010 Bundesliga season.

Asked if the addition of Tymoshchuk could create tensions in the team with Russia international Igor Denisov occupying the centre of midfield, Spalletti said: "The two have played together before, so I don't see a problem here.

"Besides, all top clubs need more than 11 (starting) players."

Zenit will also sign 22-year-old goalkeeper Yuri Ladygin from Greek side Xanthi as cover for Vyacheslav Malafeyev, Spalletti said.

However, the Italian has ruled out bringing back Arsenal forward Andrei Arshavin, whose contract with the London club expires at the end of the month.

"He hasn't played much for (Arsenal) lately. Why? You would have to ask him that question," Spalletti said in reference to the former Russia skipper, who joined Arsenal from Zenit for some 15 million pounds ($21.35 million) in January 2009.

Arshavin, who turns 32 next week, rejoined Zenit on a three-month loan from Arsenal in February last year after a turbulent year in English football but failed to rediscover his top form.

Zenit finished second behind CSKA Moscow this season after winning the league title for the past two years and qualified for the Champions League preliminary round next season.