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Tottenham Hotspur’s search for a target man appeared to have ended last night with the club close to agreeing a fee with Spartak Moscow for Roman Pavlyuchenko. The Russia forward has said that he expects to fly to London within the next 24 hours for talks after withdrawing from Spartak’s squad for their Champions League third qualifying round, second-leg match away to Dynamo Kiev this evening, in which his club face a 4-1 deficit from the first leg.

Pavlyuchenko’s arrival at White Hart Lane would clear the way for Dimitar Berbatov to move to Manchester United. Spartak have said that a verbal agreement has been reached, but they are waiting for Tottenham to fax a formal offer and other paper-work to complete a deal. The 26-year-old is likely to cost about £12 million.

Pavlyuchenko moved to Spartak four years ago, since when he has scored nearly a goal every other game. “I will not play in Kiev and can confirm I am going to Tottenham,” he said. “I am waiting for a visa and as soon as it is granted, I am ready to go to England and sign. I have not yet met Juande Ramos [the Tottenham head coach], it seems like he will call me, but I know for sure he is very interested in my services.”

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Tottenham are trying to sign a second out-and-out forward with Radamel Falcao, of River Plate, and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, of Ajax, among the possibilities. They may also try to revive a deal for Vedran Corluka, the Manchester City defender.

Dead certs

Roy Keane backed Anton Ferdinand to force his way into the England squad after the centre half joined Sunderland last night for £8 million from West Ham United. “We can take him to another level, it’s a good price,” the Sunderland manager said.

Russell Anderson, who joined Sunderland last summer, is moving to Burnley on a season-long loan, but Keane has rejected an attempt by Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign Danny Higginbotham, whom Sunderland bought from Stoke City for £3 million a year ago.

Blackburn Rovers have completed the signing of Vince Grella, the Australia midfield player, for £4 million from Torino. Rovers have abandoned their interest in Ali Al Habsi. They made a £1 million bid for the goalkeeper, but Bolton Wanderers have said he is not leaving. West Ham have denied that they intend to sell Craig Bellamy after renewed interest from Manchester City in the forward.

Lars Jacobsen has signed a one-year deal at Everton after the Denmark right back was released by Nuremberg. Innocent Mdledle, the Orlando Pirates and South Africa left back, is on trial at Portsmouth, who have also offered a trial to Thiago Motta, the Atlético Madrid midfield player.

Decent bets

Everton and Manchester City expect to learn in the next 24 hours whether their attempts to sign Shaun Wright-Phillips have been successful. Chelsea paid City £21 million for the winger three years ago, but he is valued at about half that figure now.

Chelsea are edging closer to agreeing a fee in the region of £29 million for Robinho, but Real Madrid’s offer for David Villa, the Spain forward, was turned down by Valencia. Kagiso Dikgacoi, the Golden Arrows and South Africa midfield player, has claimed that he is to join Fulham, subject to a medical.

Long shots

Everton have been linked with Jonathan de Guzman, the Feyenoord attacking midfield player. Péguy Luyindula, the Paris Saint-Germain forward, has attracted interest from West Ham and Borussia Dortmund.

To read, 'Tottenham Hotspur Player by Player,' click here.