Reported Target Wants Away From Spurs

Last updated : 12 November 2009 By Brian Cartlidge

Pavlyuchenko has become disillusioned with a lack a first team team opportunities under Spurs boss Harry Redknapp and has expressed his desire to leave White Hart Lane in order to secure his place in the Russian international squad.

 

Media reports at the beginning of the month suggested that Blues manager Alex McLeish could make a move for the 27-year-old Russian international striker come the opening of the transfer window in January.

"I want to leave the club," Pavlyuchenko has said in an interview with Russia's Sport Express newspaper ahead of his country's World Cup play-off first leg tie against Slovenia.

"It is impossible to remain there under the circumstances I find myself in. I have been sitting on the subs' bench for half a year and as a result lost a place in the starting 11 of the national team.

"And now hopefully we will get to the World Cup - who will rely on a forward who does not play? I want to play and not just warm the bench.

"Immediately after the games with Slovenia, my agent and I are flying to London for purposeful negotiations and I want to take part in them personally.

"I will ask the management to quote a reasonable price for me.

"Our manager Harry Redknapp does not talk to me on the matter. At the start of the season our manager said that four forwards is exactly the optimal number, but now he states that three is enough. And I am the fourth one so it is obvious that I should part with the club.

"The only thing that can stand in the way is unmanageable price. But I will insist on leaving.

"The important thing now is to reach a compromise that will be suitable for the club and me, and my future club."