Former Manchester United midfielder Andrei Kanchelskis has begged Dynamo Moscow striker Aleksandr Kokorin to make to the move to England and join Arsenal, the Daily Star reports.
The Russian international is believed to be on the verge of agreeing a £4.3m move to The Emirates in the new year, and Kanchelskis hopes to see the deal come to fruition in order to see him take his game to the next level.
“Kokorin should jump at the chance to leave Russia and go to that country,” Kanchelskis told Reuters.
“The Russian championship is very weak and Aleksandr can progress at Arsenal.
“Arsenal are the best option for Aleksandr’s career. If he is prepared to work a lot, he will not have any problems.
“He will not be like Andrei Arshavin and will become a top class forward for the London club.”
The 23-year-old is a proven goalscorer in the Russian top flight, notching 50 goals in 201 appearances for Dynamo, and Arsenal may have competition for his signature in the shape of Zenit St Petersburg, who are also believed to be tracking his situation.
“Kokorin is a fantastic player who Zenit would definitely want to see in their squad,” Zenit general director Maxim Mitrofanov said.
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