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Soccer-Spartak want Pavlyuchenko back from Spurs for lower fee

MOSCOW, Aug 26 - Spartak Moscow want Tottenham
Hotspur's Russia striker Roman Pavlyuchenko back for a reduced
transfer fee, the club said on Wednesday.

The Russia forward joined Premier League Spurs for 17
million euros ($24.9 million) a year ago but has found it
difficult to earn a regular first-team spot.

Spartak said they would have liked Pavlyuchenko on loan but
Tottenham would only consider selling the 27-year-old, who is
liked by the fans but faces tough competition up front.

"We need a good striker," Spartak coach Valery Karpin was
quoted as saying by Russian news agency RIA, adding Spurs would
not sell for less than 15 million pounds ($24.53 million).

"It's a bit too much. If the price was 10 (million pounds)
we would seriously consider it," Karpin said.

Pavlyuchenko, who met Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp on
Tuesday to discuss his situation at the Premier League leaders,
said he would also welcome a return to Russia.

"I need to play regularly and if I can't get it in London I
have to look elsewhere," the Russian was quoted as saying by
local media on Wednesday.

"Obviously, Spartak would be a good choice. Hopefully, my
situation will be resolved by the end of the week."

(Reporting by Gennady Fyodorov; Editing by Ken Ferris)

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