"Liverpool have targeted Tottenham misfit Roman Pavlyuchenko in a surprise January move which could see Ryan Babel head in the opposite direction," according to a report in the Daily Mail today.
According to Simon Jones: "Manager Rafa Benitez knows he desperately needs back-up for Fernando Torres and has grown increasingly tired of Babel's displays and murmurings of discontent. He is a long-time admirer of Pavlyuchenko and believes he can restore the striker to the scoring form that helped Russia reach the Euro 2008 semi-finals and prompted Tottenham to splash out £13.8million just over 15 months ago."
Jones adds: "However, due to Liverpool's dire financial situation, Tottenham hold all the cards in any possible deal. They know Liverpool have a minimal budget and must wheel and deal to get transfers done. Babel, an £11.5m signing from Ajax two years ago, represents Liverpool's biggest bargaining tool and at 22 he has a great re-sale value. However, Tottenham want optimum price for Pavlyuchenko and may even ask for Babel plus cash."
Pavlyuchenko, 27, has made just four substitute appearances for Spurs this season in the Premier League. He is contracted to the club until the end of season 2012/2013 but is almost certain to leave White Hart Lane in January after struggling for playing time due to the form of Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane.
Babel, 22, has played 11 games in the Premier League and Champions League in 2009/2010. The Dutch winger has scored three goals and provided an assist. The former Ajax has two-and-a-half seasons left on his contract at Anfield but is also believed to be eager to move to secure a spot in the Holland World Cup squad.
