Is Andrei Arshavin going back home?

Is Andrei Arshavin going back home?

Anzhi Makhachkala have identified Arsenal trio Andrei Arshavin, Marouane Chamakh and Sebastien Squillaci as possible transfer targets in January.

The Russian side have billionaire owners who grabbed headlines this summer when they managed to convince Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o to make the move to Anzhi.

Previously they had offered Roberto Carlos huge wages to play in Russia and it now seems as though they have targeted Arsenal as a club they want to do business with in the New Year.

According to tribalfootball.com, Anzhi will continue to build their squad when the transfer opens in January and plan a triple raid on the Gunners.

Arshavin has been consistently linked with a move away from the Emirates after a disappointing last 18 months and may consider a return back to Russia where he enjoyed plenty of success with Zenit St Petersburg.

Striker Chamakh is another player who has failed to live up to expectations and has been linked with a return to France. Despite manager Arsene Wenger insisting he would not be sold, the striker is currently being used primarily as a substitute and should an offer come in then the Gunners may consider cashing in on the player.

Arsenal signed the player on a free transfer and could almost certainly demand in excess of £10million for the striker.

Squillaci, the third Arsenal player Anzhi are interested in, has fallen well down the pecking order at the Emirates and it is likely that he would be allowed to leave if an appropriate offer was made.

Anzhi certainly have the financial capabilities to make an impressive offer to the players and the club, but it will depend on Arsenal as to whether they are prepared to lose the trio.