Zenit prepared to negotiate over Arshavin

(GETTY IMAGES)

Zenit St Petersburg are understood to have lowered their asking price for Andrei Arshavin just days after claiming to have closed the door on a deal to Tottenham.

Spurs are currently concentrating on other targets in their pursuit of a forward after initially being told the Russian would cost them upwards of £20m.

Zenit lowered Arshavin's price a week ago, then set a new figure just days after releasing a statement insisting Spurs' deadline for bidding had passed.

Zenit boss Dick Advocaat, who is thought to want the funds to buy players himself, does not expect Arshavin to feature in next week's UEFA Super Cup against Manchester United.

The Dutchman feels Spurs will resurrect their interest in Arshavin, although the Premier League club are looking for an out-an-out striker.

"We don't need to sell (other) players," Advocaat told Bloomberg.

"Last year we sold Martin Skrtel to Liverpool for £10m, and now probably Arshavin will go to Spurs."

Spurs are in the market for a striker after Robbie Keane left for Liverpool and Dimitar Berbatov submitted a formal transfer request as he wants to join Manchester United.

Berbatov was training with Spurs as normal ahead of this weekend's clash against Sunderland, where he is expected to face a hostile reception from fans at White Hart Lane.