Zenit St Petersburg are thought to be demanding £19 million for tar player Andrei Arshavin and Tottenham Hotspur close in on a record deal…

The Lilywhites lost vice-captain Robbie Keane to Liverpool last week and remain braced for the reality that Dimitar Berabatov may yet follow him out of the exit door, to Liverpool’s rivals Manchester United.

As such, despite the recent acquisition of David Bentley, another forward is thought to be in demand at White Hart Lane, with Arshavin the club’s top priority.

They are thought to have been rejected in bids for David Villa of Valencia and Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o and recently pulled out of negotiations for Diego Milito of Real Zaragoza, who suffered a shock relegation to the Segunda Division last season.

Arshavin, 27, rose to prominence in Zenit’s UEFA Cup campaign, sparkling in the final then going to Euro 2008 with Russia, orchestrating wins over Sweden and the Netherlands to propel him to unprecedented levels of stardom for Russian football. Despite earning a handsome salary at his hometown club, the player has stated his desire to leave for one of Europe’s more recognised leagues - solely for footballing purposes - and the club have recognised his wish.

However, a muted showing in the semi-final against eventual Euro winners Spain saw interest cool in the tricky forward and several of the big clubs that had been linked - such as Chelsea, Milan and the player’s favourite, Barcelona - have all pulled out of the running.

The player’s agent initially insisted his client would only move to England for one of the Big Four, but following Barcelona’s solitary bid of just €15 million that was immediately rejected, they pulled out of the race, Chelsea are continuing to push for Robinho, Milan opted for Ronaldinho and the likes of Arsenal and Inter appear to have other priorities in the transfer market.

As such, Tottenham’s interest appears the most attractive for the forward at this moment and over the last week, speculation has heightened that a deal will be completed.

The player is rumoured to have agreed a deal worth around £100,000-a-week to sign on at White Hart Lane, following Spurs sporting director Damien Comolli’s visit to Russia.

Ref From Chet Winter, Goal.com

Rosenborg booked their place in the second qualifying round of the Uefa Cup with a 2-0 win over NAC Breda in the Intertoto Cup.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Holland, Rosenborg produced a rallying performance to keep alive their hopes of European football.

Fredrik Stoor marked his farewell appearance for Rosenborg before an impending move to Fulham by opening the scoring on 34 minutes with a powerful shot.

Veteran striker Steffen Iversen doubled Rosenborg’s lead five minutes into the second half when he kept his cool to score from the penalty spot.

Rosenborg ended the game with ten men after Vadim Demidov was sent off in the closing stages for apparent time-wasting, but they held on to secure their spot in Friday’s Uefa Cup draw.

IF Elfsborg sneaked into the draw after edging out FK Rîga 1-0 on aggregate following a goalless draw in the second leg.

The Swedish side maintained their advantage from the first leg with a resolute defensive display in Latvia to end FK Riga’s Uefa Cup hopes.

Ref From skysports.com

Edy Reja is intensely proud to have taken Napoli from Serie C into Europe as today they encounter Panionios for the Intertoto Cup.

Bet Now on Panionios v Napoli and Get £25 Free

At 17.00 UK time the Third Round tie kicks off in Greece and the decider is at the San Paolo next Saturday evening.

“We do feel nervous, but the real emotion will pour out when we step on to the field,” said the Coach.

“There is reason to feel proud, as two and a half years ago we were in Serie C, now we are challenging for a place on the European stage.

“I am happy for Napoli, the city and all its fans. If we are here today then it is thanks to President Aurelio De Laurentiis and everyone at the club.”

The Azzurri went bankrupt and were knocked down to Serie C with new owners, but Reja has been at the helm to guide them back up to the focus of Italian football.

“I remember coming to Napoli in a very difficult situation. The club was taking its first steps and we are now well ahead of schedule.

“It really feels strange to think back on that now. Personally I consider it a moral victory for all the hard work we’ve done in these years.”

Their opponents tonight in Athens will be Greek side Panionios and Reja has no intention of playing a cagey match.

“They are a dangerous team who are strong on home turf. They beat OFK Belgrade 3-1 here in the last round, but could easily have scored five,” continued the Coach.

“It will be very hot and Panionios want to make their mark against a prestigious side like Napoli. We have to be balanced and also ready to strike at the right moment. To wait and play it all in the second leg would be tactical suicide.”

It is Napoli’s first European game since a 1-0 UEFA Cup defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on December 7, 1994.

Ref From channel4.com