Spurs striker linked

Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move for Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun that could see Roman Pavlyuchenko move in the opposite direction.

Liverpool showed interest in Pavlyuchenko during the winter transfer window and are keen to do a deal, but they are reluctant to meet demands of Benayoun plus £2million for the Russia striker.

The Merseysiders could find better value in doing a straight cash deal for their Israel midfielder and would hope to raise as much as £10m by exploring interest from Aston Villa, Roma, Sevilla and Dynamo Moscow - as well as Spurs.

Meanwhile, Lokomotiv Moscow fear that their hopes of signing Pavlyuchenko from Tottenham Hotspur are dead. The Russians came close to clinching a £10m deal for Pavlyuchenko in the winter but believe his return to Harry Redknapp's starting line-up will scupper a renewed attempt to lure him when the transfer window opens.

'The situation has changed,' said Lokomotiv head coach Yuri Semin. 'I'm afraid it will be difficult to get Pavlyuchenko.

'His team qualified for the Champions League and he regained the coach's confidence. 'In any case, we can't get hung up on one player. We definitely need one more forward to strengthen the attack.'

Semin is under pressure after a poor start to the Russian Premier League season for his much-fancied team, who are 12 points behind leaders Zenit St Petersburg after 10 games.

Lokomotiv also look set to be priced our of a move for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Marat Izmailov, who has attracted interest from Manchester City and Everton since a £5m return to Russia failed in March.

'Izmailov has a long-term contract with Sporting,' said Semin. 'His club will decide what will be. Figuratively speaking, the ball is in their court.

'We made a proposal for Izmailov in the spring, but the Portuguese refused. Since then, the situation hasn't changed.'

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.