MOSCOW // The Russia striker Roman Pavlyuchenko claims he is on the verge of joining Tottenham. Pavlyuchenko, 26, insisted after a verbal agreement was reached between the north Londoners and his club Spartak Moscow. "I can confirm that I am joining Spurs," he said. "Right now I am getting my visa. As soon as it is ready I will fly to London to sign a contract." Pavlyuchenko, who impressed in Russia's run to the semi-finals of Euro 2008 over the summer, added: "Everything has happened very quickly so I could not even say goodbye to my teammates."
Spartak's general manager Valery Karpin admitted: "If Roman will agree a contract then we are ready to let go him go. " Pavlyuchenko's arrival could have a big impact on Dimitar Berbatov's future at White Hart Lane. The Bulgarian wants a move to Manchester United before the transfer window closes on at midnight on Monday and the Spurs manager Juande Ramos has expressed his desire for the transfer saga to be brought to an end. Elsewhere, the Australia international Vince Grella, 28, has joined Blackburn from Italian side Torino.
Sunderland have completed the signing of the West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand and Tottenham have confirmed that the South Korean left-back Lee Young-Pyo is to join Borussia Dortmund. * PA Sport
