Alexander Hleb has revealed that he would be prepared to consider a return to the Premier League.
Former Arsenal playmaker seeks summer switch
Alexander Hleb has revealed that he would be prepared to consider a return to the Premier League.
The Belarus international currently finds himself in limbo, with a loan spell at Stuttgart not progressing as he had hoped.
Hleb rejoined the Bundesliga outfit last summer in a season-long deal from Barcelona.
Having slipped down the pecking order at Camp Nou he was keen to rediscover the form which made him one of Europe's top creative talents a few years ago.
His form during a three-year stint at Arsenal helped to raise his profile, with Barcelona splashing out £12million to take him to Spain in 2008.
That move failed to work out, with opportunities at a premium, and his career has stagnated somewhat since then.
Options
Barca are reported to be willing to do business, with £8million expected to be enough to force their hand, and Hleb is keen to move on.
He has made it clear that a prolonged stay at Stuttgart is off the cards, having grown disillusioned with life under Christian Gross, but admits he would welcome another crack at the English top-flight.
"The chances for me to stay at Stuttgart next season are zero," he said.
"Barcelona will decide my future and I am open to any option. But I have shown at Arsenal that I can play in England and enjoy the Premier League."
While Hleb is keen to keep his options open, reports in Spain suggest Barca are keen to use him as a makeweight in a summer approach for Franck Ribery.
The Catalan giants have been tracking the France international for time and hope including a player of Hleb's calibre in any potential deal will help to soften Bayern's resolute stance.
