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Redknapp in no rush to sell Pav
Spurs boss insists Russian striker has future
in North London
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Pavlyuchenko: Timely goal / Photo: skysports.com
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Manager Harry Redknapp insists Roman Pavlyuchenko still
has a future at Tottenham.
And the Spurs boss added that the Russian striker's continued presence
at White Hart Lane is not standing in the way of his own moves in the
transfer market.
The 28-year-old is keen to move on as Redknapp has handed him just two
starts this season.
Lokomotiv Moscow and former club Spartak Moscow are both interested in
taking Pavlyuchenko back to Russia, and he reminded them of his quality
by scoring his second goal of the season in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Leeds.
But Redknapp claims he is in no rush to offload the ?13.8million signing.
"His future is here," he told Sky Sports News. "If he plays
well, wants to work hard and get the opportunity to play, it's up to him.
"He played ever so well on Saturday when he came on, he took his
goal well and I was delighted with him.
"He's a quality player, I've always said that. He's got fantastic
ability - it's whether he wants to be here or not, that is the key. When
he wants to work and play, he's a top-class footballer. There's no doubt
about that."
Not keen
Since joining from Spartak in August 2008, Pavlyuchenko has scored 16
goals in 44 appearances - and just 28 starts.
Pavlyuchenko is doubtful for Tuesday night's league clash at home to Fulham
having picked up a slight groin strain and asked if he wants to stay,
Redknapp replied: "I don't know, I'm not sure.
"I think his people have been trying to move him for quite a while
but we want him to stay. As I've always said, unless we've got the right
offer, he wouldn't be leaving, and we're really not keen to sell him anyway.
"It'd be nice if he could come now and start playing, have a good
run and score a few goals, and take us to where we want to get.
"He's very much part of the plans while he's here, and if he's fit
he's certainly going to be involved tomorrow."
Spurs had opened talks over taking Real Madrid's Ruud van Nistelrooy on
loan before the Dutch striker agreed a deal with Hamburg.
But Redknapp insists it is not imperative that Spurs bring in new faces
in the January transfer window.
"We were interested but it was a case of how much he was," he
said.
Gamble
"The chairman spoke with Ruud's people and the whole deal was just
too expensive to take a gamble because he's been injured.
"If he's fit, he's a great player, there's no doubt about that. I've
always liked him as a player and as a person, but wages-wise, it just
wasn't worth the risk.
"We only spoke to Ruud in case Pav went because there was talk about
a couple of Russian clubs wanting him.
"But really, I'm not too bothered if we don't sign anybody in the
window. I'm really not looking to do anything.
"We're happy with what we've got and it's a nice position to be in,
where we haven't got to go running round, chasing after players at inflated
prices."
And although Redknapp admits an interest in Palermo defender Simon Kjaer,
Spurs are yet to make an approach for the 20-year-old Denmark international.
"We've watched him," added the Tottenham boss. "He's a
player we've looked at, like all the top clubs, but at the moment ho-one's
made a move.
"He played again yesterday (Sunday) against Fiorentina. He's a good
young player but we haven't made any enquiries about buying him at all."
Skysports.com,
Jan. 22, 2010
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