SPURS CHASE ARSHAVIN

Arshavin, 26, was a £7 million Newcastle target for Sam Allardyce before he left, while Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has long been an admirer of the Russian Player of the Year and wants to link him up with Emmanuel Adebayor.

Spurs' interest comes amid reports that chairman Daniel Levy is himself trying to broker a deal with Barcelona for unsettled Samuel Eto'o.

Budget

But the Barca hitman will demand £90,000 a week, way outside Tottenham's normal budget, but Levy is left with little choice if, as expected, he loses prized asset Dimitar Berbatov this summer.

Eto'o, unsettled after an injury-ravaged year at the Nou Camp, is also a target for moneybags Chelsea who can offer Champions League football on top.

So if Spurs lose out on Eto'o, Arshavin could be their man. He is famed for his control, vision and strong running - all of which were displayed in setting up both Zenit goals against Rangers.

He wants to leave and said: "I'd like to try one of Europe's top leagues and the Spanish and the English ones interest me the most."