According to rumblings in today's press Birmingham City are set to up their efforts to sign Spurs misfit Roman Pavlyuchenko.
The Russian forward has struggled for first team action this season having fallen behind Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane in the pecking order at White Hart Lane.
Whether the Blues are willing to match the asking price Spurs have set remains to be seen, but manager Alex McLeish certainly appears eager to enhance his options up front.
The Scotsman has openly admitted he is interested in bringing Rangers striker Kris Boyd to the club, though it is believed that rivals Aston Villa are also vying for his signature and will provide fierce competition.
Tottenham meanwhile, despite constant suggestions from manager Harry Redknapp that he doesn't envisage adding to his squad in January, are said to be hopeful of signing Palermo defender Simon Kjaer. The Danish defender has interested a host of other Premier League clubs and, given the continual injury problems of Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King, would be a welcome addition to the squad.
Elsewhere, Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has been linked with a move for Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson. Johnson is very much Boro's prized asset, but given their poor league position a move would certainly represent the winger's best chance of playing Premier League football in the near future.
City are also said to be preparing an astonishing £15 million bid for West Ham's Valon Behrami, whose versatility is said to be of particular appeal to Mancini.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy however, is set to snub a return to the Premier League with his agent suggesting he would favour of a move to the Bundesliga following alleged interest from Hamburg. The news will come as a blow to West Ham who were believed to be interested in the Dutchman, though the Hammers remain optimistic their pursuit of Blackburn's Benni McCarthy will prove more fruitful.
- Gareth Burton
Source: DSG
Source: DSG