Tottenham target a Russian hitman

Tottenham are looking at replacing Manchester United-bound Dimitar Berbatov with Russia's lanky Euro 2008 striker Roman Pavlyuchenko.

It has been reported in Russia that Spurs sporting director Damien Comolli watched Pavlyuchenko play in Spartak Moscow's 5-1 defeat by CSKA Moscow at the weekend. Comolli is then believed to have talked to the 26-year-old's agent Oleg Artyomov after the game about a possible move to White Hart Lane.

Spurs are on the hunt for a new striker with Berbatov set to move to United in a £28million deal and Pavlyuchenko is one of the most highly-rated forwards in Europe.

The club won't let Berbatov go until they have a replacement and the 6ft 3in Pavlyuchenko fits the bill, although Spartak are determined to get at least £12m for him.

Berbatov played for 45 minutes in Tottenham's 8-0 win against Spanish side Tavernes last night in a pre-season friendly. But while the Bulgarian failed to score, £4.7m signing Giovani dos Santos marked his debut with two goals.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa have made a late bid to try and hijack Tottenham's signing of winger David Bentley. But Spurs are still expected to win the race for the England international as he has made it clear he only wants to go to the north London club.