Zenit St. Petersburg star Andrei Arshavin has reportedly asked his club for help to fulfill his big dream of representing Barcelona.

Barcelona expressed a keen desire in securing Arshavin’s services following his good performances at Euro 2008; however, they ruled themselves of signing the player after having two offers rejected.

During the last few days it has been reported that Zenit are willing to lower the price tag set on Arshavin, as no club seemed interested in offering the €30 million the UEFA Cup holders were initially demanding.

Reports emanating from Russia claimed on Thursday that Tottenham had decided to meet Zenit’s asking price and put together an offer of €20 million for the 27-year-old schemer.

Aware of Arshavin’s interest in signing only for Barcelona, Zenit are willing to wait for the Catalan club to launch an improved offer for the player; however, they will not consider losing money when they already have a good offer on the table.

Arshavin has resumed training with Zenit and is expected to be included in the squad for the league match against Amkar Perm. However, as has happened in recent fixtures, he is likely to start on the bench and won’t be used unless the result forces him to come on as a substitute.

Ref From Luís Mira - goal.com

Barcelona are closing in on a deal to sign Henrique from Palmeiras and are also negotiating with Bayer Leverkusen to take him on loan immediately.

The Catalan giants want to secure the services of the highly-rated central defender in order to fend off competition from other interested parties, but they will not include him in their plans for next season.

Talks between Barça and Palmeias have slowed and there have been accusations that something is strange about the deal, from a former agent and presidential candidate of the Blaugrana.

With a fee of around €10m being talked about, questions have been raised as to how a 21-year-old that has played five games for his current club cane be worth such a fee.

But Barcelona have chosen to ignore the criticism and are pressing ahead with trying to secure a deal that will take Henrique to Europe at such a young age.

Leverkusen made contact with the Blaugrana to ask if they could loan the player should a transfer go through and were met with a positive response.

Henrique will not have European citizenship and Barça would prefer him to gain first team experience before they make room for him in their new look squad.

Gerard Piqué has already return to the Camp Nou this summer and Pep Guardiola has Carles Puyol, Martín Cáceres, Rafa Márquez, the injured Gaby Milito, Oleguer and Éric Abidal to choose as centre-backs.

Ref From Lucas Brown, Goal.com

Arsenal have confirmed their third signing of the summer, young French midfielder Francis Coquelin.

A brief piece on the Gunners’ official website confirms that Arsene Wenger has signed his third player of the summer - and second French midfielder. Francis Coquelin has joined the club from French third division side Laval.

Coquelin, 17, impressed during a trial with Arsenal last season and had been expected to sign during the last two months.

He passed a medical back in May but his signing was only officially announced by the Gunners on Friday.

“Arsenal have signed French midfield player Francis Coquelin on professional terms,” said the statement.

“The 17-year-old has joined from SASP Stade Lavallois Mayeene MFC.”

Laval revealed last month that Coquelin, who had not signed a first professional contract with them, was free to move on.

Arsenal are therefore believed to have signed him without having to pay a transfer fee.

Reports suggest that Werder Bremen’s Amaury Bischoff could be the next youngster to join the Gunners.

Ref From Mark Hinton, Goal.com