Spurs Want Arshavin, Claim Zenit

Tottenham have entered the race to sign Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg, according to the Russian club, but need to increase their valuation of the Russia international.

Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane have told Spurs they wish to leave White Hart Lane, for Manchester United and Liverpool respectively, and Arshavin could be a replacement for the latter as a deep-lying striker. Berbatov and Keane would be expected to raise more than £40m between them, and Arshavin is valued by his club at more than half of that amount following his impressive performances at Euro 2008."With Tottenham we have contacts," said Zenit's sporting director, Konstantin Sarsaniya. "This English club is really interested in acquiring Andrei but, as I understand, €27m [£21.5m] is too high a price for them. For Spurs it is unacceptable. Tottenham are ready to pay in the region of €20m (£15.9m) for Arshavin."

Arshavin stated earlier in the summer that Barcelona would be his preferred destination but a move to the Catalan club has not materialised. Barça have already signed Alexander Hleb from Arsenal and are in the market for a striker as Samuel Eto'o is expected to leave Camp Nou. Eto'o has been quoted in Italy saying Spurs are among the clubs considering a bid for him but it is understood that the London club's interest in a transfer has already cooled.

Spurs have also been linked with strikers Diego Milito and Arshavin's international team-mate Roman Pavlyuchenko and want to sign England winger David Bentley, with Blackburn demanding more than £18m for their player.