Spurs' outcast striker Pavlyuchenko admits: It's time to leave the Lane

25 August 2009 17:00
Roman Pavlyuchenko wants to leave Tottenham Hotspur after being restricted to just one appearance as an 89th-minute substitute so far this season. The Russia striker fears his World Cup place is in doubt and told his agent to meet White Hart Lane boss Harry Redknapp for talks today. 'No footballer likes being on the bench game after game,' said the 27-year-old. 'I could lose my place in the Russian squad for the 2010 World Cup. 'I'm ready now to listen to offers from other clubs. But I can't say anything concrete right now.' Pavlyuchenko had a mixed season after joining from Spartak Moscow for £13.8m last summer, scoring 14 in 37 appearances, just five of which came in the Premier League. His place in the team was undermined when Redknapp arrived and signed Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe in January, while Peter Crouch has also provided competition since joining from Portsmouth earlier this month. Roma have tracked Pavlyuchenko all summer and are set to make a move if Julio Baptista is sold to Inter Milan. Spartak are interested in re-signing him, but only on loan. Lokomotiv Moscow are also keen but need Spurs to accept a significant loss on Pavlyuchenko as the Russian Premier League side are keen to bank at least some of the £9m they received from Everton for Diniyar Bilyaletdinov. Pavlyuchenko Happier days: Pavlyuchenko celebrates after scoring against Blackburn last season Lokomotiv president Nikolay Naumov said: 'Pavlyuchenko is a strong player, who, of course, we are interested in, but his transfer is unlikely at the moment as he costs too much money.' Pavlyuchenko was left out of Russia's starting XI for the showpiece friendly against Argentina last month, but came on to score in his country's 3-2 defeat. Guus Hiddink has warned him that a lack of competitive play would threaten his place in the team.

Source: Daily_Mail