ARSENAL are on the brink of signing the man who could have dumped them out of the Champions League. They will decide today whether to open talks with brilliant Dynamo Kiev striker Sergei Rebrov, who wants to move in the summer and has made the Gunners his No.1 choice.
Rebrov, who would cost �12million, scored in both matches against Arsenal, blasting a massive hole in their European dreams. The Gunners' interest in Rebrov was fired at Wembley on October 21, when the 24-year-old's stunning late goal alerted Arsene Wenger to a special talent. English and continental clubs have been flooded with calls from agents claiming to represent Kiev's gifted stars. But the only agent with the authority of the Ukrainian club to sell their stars is Pini Zaravi.
Already Zaravi has placed Oleg Luzhny with Graeme Souness at Benfica, but he refused to discuss any transfer deals yesterday, insisting: "So far I have nothing to say." But Rebrov's age, technique and pace will appeal to Wenger, whose desperate need for a top striker was highlighted during Wednesday's 3-1 hammering in Kiev.
Alan Shearer has been on the Wenger hit-list but Newcastle won't look at enquiries unless the bidding starts at �18m. Rebrov has scored 77 goals in 170 league games for Kiev - a better scoring ratio than even Andrei Shevchenko.
Back we go!!!