Tottenham: Zenit claim Spurs interest

Zenit St Petersburg claim that Alexander Kerzhakov has emerged as a target for Tottenham.

The news is a little surprising considering the wealth of attacking options open to Martin Jol with Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Fredi Kanoute all vying for places up front at White Hart Lane.

With rumours persisting regarding Chelsea's alleged interest in top scorer Defoe, it may transpire that Spurs are continuing to scout abroad for long-term targets despite their determination to keep the England international.

However, after the ill-fated record capture of Ukrainian Sergei Rebrov, another dip into the Eastern European market would perhaps be a bold one.

Russian sources claim the 22-year-old is rated in the €16 million class after a glut of goals in the Uefa Cup this season.

Kerzhakov has bagged five goals in the competition, including a hat-trick against AEK Athens. Spurs are understood to have been alerted by that display and sent representatives to watch the 2-1 defeat in Lille, where he again got on the scoresheet.

The speedy striker has netted 30 goals in his last two seasons with Zenit and is a regular international for Russia after making his debut against Estonia.

Skysports

Zenit St Petersburg have insisted they do not want to sell striker Alexander Kerzhakov to Tottenham.

The 22-year-old Russian international is very highly regarded in his homeland and has already scored more than 50 league goals in his career - with 18 coming this season as Zenit finished fourth.

Kerzhakov and team-mate Andrei Arshavin are recognised as Zenit's prized assets - but their Czech coach Vlastimil Petrzhela has moved to dispel rumours of an imminent move for either player.

However, Petrzhela did admit the club had interest from Tottenham in Kerzhakov.

Skysports