Pavlyuchenko the first of many?

Last updated : 27 August 2008 By Gareth Davies

Roman Pavlyuchenko, Spartak Moscow's gangly target-man, looks set to become Juande Ramos' first signing in what is promising to be an extremely busy end to the transfer window at White Hart Lane.

Yesterday the Russian international told members of the Russian press that he would not be playing in his sides Champions League qualifier against because he was close to sealing a move to North London.

LONDON BOUND: Pavlyuchenko looks set to bolster Spurs' attack



















The signing of Pavlyuchenko, who has scored nine times in 21 appearances for his country, will add significantly to Juande Ramos' attacking options amid the uncertainty caused by the Dimitar Berbatov's on-off move to Manchester.

Having been scouted by the likes of United, Milan and a host of other top European clubs, Pavlyuchenko signing is a coup for the club, particularly given that the fee is reported to be a manageable £12m pounds.

At 6ft 2, the Spartak Moscow forward is a threat in the air and on the ground as shown by his impressive goal-scoring record of 77 goals in 147 games for his current club.

The forward also impressed during qualification for Euro 2008, scoring in Russia's 2-1 win over England and has the physical presence and work-rate to make a real nuisance of himself.

In fact his style of play and physicality will be a welcome addition to a squad that is often found wanting when it comes to raw power.

And although he may lack the technique and guile of Klass Jan Huntelaar, another potential target, he more than makes up for that in sheer determination and aerial prowess.

He also may not be the only Russian on his way to N17 this week, with the BBC reporting that the club have revived interest in Andrei Arshavin after Zenit St. Petersburg reportedly dropped their extortionate asking price for one of the stars of Euro 2008.

FINALLY DONE? Arshavin could at last be on his way to North London





















If the pair do move to White Hart Lane then both players' transition to English football may well be eased because of their common language and bond formed at international level.

If that weren't enough to wet the appetite of every Spurs fan across the country, BBC Sport have also said that Ramos is closing in on a deal for Sporting Lisbon's highly-rated Portugal international Miguel Veloso.

Having been crying out for a top-class defensive midfielder during two stuttering displays this season, the signing of Veloso - if it goes through - may well be even more significant than the addition of two Russian internationals to the squad.

Futhermore, it is also felt that Manchester City's Vedran Corluka, who Spurs have been chasing for several weeks, will also complete a move to the club after City signed precocious defender Vincent Kompany last week.

If these four transfers all go through then it will surely be the most stupendous week of transfers the club has ever known and a sure sign that Daniel Levy, Damien Comolli and Juande Ramos are not prepared to let the circus surrounding Dimitar Berbatov to distract from their efforts to reverse a poor start to the season.

One player who will not be part of those efforts, however, is South Korean full-back Lee Young-Pyo, who completed a move to German side Borussia Dortmund today for an undisclosed fee. Tottenham-mad would like to wish Lee well at his new club and thank him for 93 determined appearances.