• Premier League

Zhirkov close to Chelsea exit

ESPNsoccernet staff
August 1, 2011
Yuri Zhirkov appears bound to return to his homeland © Getty Images
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Chelsea's Yuri Zhirkov is poised to join Anzhi Makhachkala in his native Russia, according to prospective team-mate Rasim Tagirbekov.

Widespread reports in Moscow claim the defender-cum-midfielder is on the brink of sealing a £13 million move to Anzhi, whose defender, Rasim Tagirbekov, has claimed Zhirkov has met with the club's squad and head coach Gadzhi Gadzhiev.

Tagirbekov told Russian newspaper Izvestia: ''Of course, Yuri is a great player. Everybody in the team is very glad that he will join our club.

''This transfer will strengthen Anzhi a lot. Zhirkov has already managed to talk to the team's head coach Gadzhi Gadzhiev and practically all the players.''

Zhirkov himself confirmed he had travelled to Russia, saying: ''I have arrived for two days to spend my weekend here.''

The sale of Zhirkov would free up space in Chelsea's 25-man Premier League squad for another foreigner, with the club weighing up a third bid for Tottenham's Luka Modric.

Zhirkov, who turns 28 this month, has struggled to establish himself in the Blues' first team since moving from CSKA Moscow two years ago. A knee injury hampered his progress but he has ultimately failed to depose Ashley Cole as first-choice left-back or force his way into midfield.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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