Tranfer Talk: McLeish chases 'great player' Pavlyuchenko

Pavlyuchenko is expected to leave Tottenham (GETTY IMAGES)

Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has confirmed the club's interest in the Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko. "He is a great player," McLeish said. "If the wages were not too outrageous, that would be something that would be reasonably attractive." McLeish hopes to build on the Blues' fine recent form and is also monitoring the Lens forward Aruna Dindane, currently on loan at Portsmouth, although reports of a £4m bid are premature.

Laws joins Fox hunt in bid to tighten defence

Burnley manager Brian Laws is interested in the Celtic left-back Danny Fox as he attempts to solve the Clarets' defensive worries. The club have conceded 44 goals in 22 league games this season. Fox, 23, only joined Celtic from Coventry last summer but is on the verge of joining the recent exodus of players from Parkhead, should the clubs agree a fee and personal terms with Fox. He made his Scotland debut in the 3-0 defeat in Wales last November.

Long shots

Manchester City may miss out on the midfielder Fernando Gago due to Real Madrid's reluctance to sell the Argentine. Vasco Da Gama have dismissed reports linking them with the Manchester United midfielder Anderson.

The Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, has indicated the club remain keen to bring in a right-back to cover for the injured Glen Johnson. Tottenham have offered out-of-favour Jermaine Jenas to Birmingham, with Internazionale also interested in the England midfielder.

Newcastle United are in discussions with Birmingham over a potential loan move for centre-back Martin Taylor, while Portsmouth hope to re-sign former midfielder Gary O'Neil on loan from Middlesbrough, although the Teesside club are not interested.

Pedro Mendes' move from Rangers to Sporting Lisbon has collapsed because of the midfielder's wage demands.

Milan have again dismissed reports linking Klaas-Jan Huntelaar with a move from San Siro, with Spurs and Arsenal linked with a move for the Dutchman, while Basle striker Marco Streller has turned down the chance to move to Fulham.