Reports in the Spanish media this week have suggested Madrid will enter the race to sign the wantaway Russian international when the January transfer window opens.

However, while the 27-year-old admits he holds the two-time reigning Primera Liga champions in high regards, he does not want to look beyond sorting out his situation with Zenit.

"To be honest I don't really want to talk much about this (Madrid), it is only a rumour and I cannot say much more," said Arshavin in AS.

"How could I not want to go Madrid? The only thing I've said is I want to leave Zenit in the new year. I have not made an declaration in favour of any team.

"The most important thing now is not whether Real Madrid want me or not, but if Zenit will allow me to go."

He added about Madrid: "Of course I like them, they are a great team, one of the best."

Arshavin was on the verge of a move to Tottenham following Euro 2008, but the move broke down when Zenit raised the asking price of the player to a reported 27 million euros.

The diminutive forward has also been linked to a number of other clubs, with Spanish giants Madrid and Barcelona among them.

When asked his thoughts about the Primera Liga, Arshavin said: "It's the league I've followed most, but the Premier League is another league I like and interests me a lot. As I've already said, any great European league would be good for me.

"It's an honour the great European clubs are looking at me. This is the reason why I must move from Zenit. I have not lost hope this will happen within a couple of months."

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Former Sevilla striker Alexander Kerzhakov has encouraged his fellow Russian to choose Spain as his next destination.

"Spanish football would be much better for him than the English. The Primera Liga teams are not made to fight, they prefer to pass the ball," he told Russian newspaper Sport-Express.

Kerzhakov struggled to make an impact during his two seasons with Sevilla before leaving for Dinamo Moscow at the start of this year, but he insists he had few troubles adapting to Spanish life and does not envisage a problem in that respect for Arshavin.

"The mentality is different and the language as well, but I wouldn't call that a problem," he added.

"The Spanish language was quite easy to understand. After three months I had no more difficulties."

However, Kerzhakov concedes certain things will be different if Arshavin joins Madrid, saying: "It is not the same to sign for Sevilla as for Real.

"In Madrid, of course, it is more difficult, as for a start there is more press attention and more social pressure."