Comolli defends Tottenham transfer record

Tottenham sporting director Damien Comolli has defended his transfer record as Roman Pavlyuchenko looks set to become his latest recruit.

Pavlyuchenko has been pictured in London and is expected to complete a medical before his signing from Spartak Moscow is announced, with Spurs remaining in the hunt for more players before Monday's transfer deadline.

Comolli scouts players for head coach Juande Ramos, who has allowed seven first-team players leave this summer, while Robbie Keane departed and Dimitar Berbatov is expected to follow after handing in a transfer request in pursuit of a move to Manchester United.

Despite appearing to be rushing their business at the end of the window, Comolli insisted Spurs still have the potential for a successful campaign.

Of the players he has brought to the club, Comolli said: "I am disappointed we have lost those games but I am very optimistic. When I see the quality I am sure we will have a good season."

Berbatov has trained at Spurs Lodge but looked like he was saying his goodbyes to team-mates as he left the training ground.

"Don't forget us," said one member of staff before Berbatov drove through the gates.

Comolli has been in position to broker a deal with United as the Frenchman was present at the Uefa Cup draw in Monaco, where Manchester United face Zenit St Petersburg in the Uefa Super Cup.

Spurs have also been linked with Zenit's Andrei Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko's Russia team-mate, meaning Monte Carlo has the potential for being the setting for the big deals at the end of the transfer window.

Diego Milito and Sergio Garcia have been left out of the Real Zaragoza squad for the weekend, leading to suggestions in Spain that Spurs are poised to swoop for the pair, who are thought to be open to moves after relegation to Spain's second division.

Diego Forlan has not ruled out an eventual move back to England but is currently focused on Champions League football at Atletico Madrid.

"I received offers from the Premier League to return this season, but neither am I interested in the adventure, nor are Atletico Madrid thinking of selling me," Forlan said.

After defeats in their first two games, Spurs now face Chelsea on Sunday.

"The atmosphere is still good. We've been working well in training and people's heads are still up," said defender Jonathan Woodgate.

"Berbatov's been his usual self in training, just as he was all last season and this season as well. And that's as it should be because he's a professional footballer.

"As far as I'm aware he's still a Tottenham player. He's quiet anyway so there's been no real change - he's just training as usual.

"He's a top player and you need to keep as many of them as you can but if a price comes in for him that's worthy they might let him go.

"It's had no bearing on our two performances. It's nothing to do with who is coming and going - we just haven't played well enough."