Arsenal Agree to Let Hleb Go, Says Agent

Arsenal appear set to lose their fight to keep Alexander Hleb, with the player's agent claiming that he is already in talks with another club. Despite vowing to hang on to Hleb, newspaper reports suggest that Arsène Wenger has submitted to the Belarussian midfielder's request to leave after showdown talks.

"I can officially confirm that a short time ago Alexander decided that he will leave Arsenal and join another club," said Hleb's representative Niki Spilevski. "Of course, Arsenal and Arsène wanted him to stay but they have accepted the player's choice."

Spilevski also indicated that Hleb would not make use Fifa's article 17 rule - which allows a player to buy his way out of a contract - meaning that Arsenal can expect to recoup some of the £11.2m they expended on him three seasons ago.

Although Hleb's potential destination remains unclear, he has been heavily linked with Italian giants Internazionale, who Wenger threatened to report for their "disrespectful pursuit" of the 27-year-old. Spanish champions Real Madrid have also expressed their interest.

Jens Lehmann, Arsenal's out-of-contract goalkeeper, may retire after Euro 2008 if he cannot agree a deal with another club. Although a potential move to Stuttgart remains on the cards, the 38-year-old has indicated that he is in no hurry to decide his future.

"The situation is that I have no club from 1 July," said Lehmann, who will go to the European Championships as the German No1. "At the moment, that would mean I am retiring because I have no other club.

"Either I find a new club before we play (against Serbia) in Gelsenkirchen on May 31, or I decide after the tournament. It could also be that a decision is taken after my holidays on July 25, but I am under no pressure."