The ex Gunner's polite request to be left out of the team's pre season plans to the United States was granted by Jose Mourinho, who recently acknowledged the Frenchman's decision to leave Spain. However, no club has agreed to meet Madrid's hefty valuation - which is rumoured to be between the region of 17-20 million euros.
The club is aware of Arshavin's decision to stay put, and have made arrangements for an official to meet Madrid's director general Jose Angel Sanchez, for the express purpose of signing the want-away midfielder in time for domestic hostilities.
