The forward of Spartak Moscow Roman Pavlyuchenko did not take part
in the yesterday's training session and urgently left for Moscow from
Kyiv. According to Spartak management he left to agree on the terms of
his personal contract with Tottenham Spurs. But there was an opportunity
for him to get to Lokomotiv.
The Spartak general director Valery Karpin commented on
situation with the unexpected departure of Pavlyuchenko from Kyiv ahead
of the return leg of the third qualifying round of the Champions League.
"Roman has left the team with the asset of the management of the
club," said Karpin. "I know that he is going to resume negotiations
with Tottenham. In general the proposal of the English is good with the
club and that is the player to decide now."
"If he manages to agree the terms of his personal contract, we won't
hinder his transfer. Moreover the representatives of the London club were
respectable and professional."
Pavlyuchenko himself after returning to Moscow was rather frank with Sport
Express:
"I am almost 100% sure that I will move to Tottenham. I have been
thinking over this proposal for a long time, and have made my mind only
today [on Tuesday] - in Kyiv."
"I was worried about my family, consulted with my wife - it is very
important for the family to feel comfortable. But I ventured to use the
chance to play in Europe, especially in such a strong championship as
English."
"In a couple of days I am flying to London to sign the contract.
But I will definitely wait for the team to return from Kyiv, I must say
goodbye to Spartak."
By the way, 26-year old forward of the Russian national team could have
found himself in Lokomotiv which was not only interested in Roman but
even made an offer about his transfer.
"Our club is looking for a forward," said Lokomotiv President
Nikolai Naumov. "And we considered the candidacy of Pavlyuchenko.
But I doubt that Spartak is going to accept our offer. The club management
does not want to sell the player to any Russian club."
Karpin: "We are not interested in selling Roman to a Russian club.
We can discuss offers but we have the right to reject them. Firstly we
aren't going to strengthen our rival, and secondly, the terms did not
suit us."
To the information of Sport Express, the offer of Lokomotiv is almost
equal to the one from London (about 15-16 million euros). But Loko is
going to pay Roman twice as much as in Spartak - 2,5 million instead of
1,1 in Spartak.
"I am aware that Lokomotiv is interested in me," said Pavlyuchenko.
"But I am not going to comment on anything. I am not sure Spartak
will let me into another Russian club, and what will the supporters think?"
