You're reading: Spartak is interested in Rebrov

MOSCOW, October 11 – Spartak Moscow is negotiating with Tottenham for a transfer of Ukrainian international striker Serhiy Rebrov, a club official said. “We are in talks, but the player’s condition is uncertain because of an absence of playing practice. There are more questions then answers,” Aleksander Yelinsky, Spartak technical manager was quoted as saying on the club Web page, Spartak.com. “The transfer fee is rather high to buy him only for a name,” said Yelinsky. Spartak spokesman Aleksei Zinin refused to comment on the amount.

 

Rebrov was brought in by former Tottenham manager George Graham for 11 million pounds (US$17.3 million) in June 2000, a record signing for the Spurs, but has fallen out of favor since new manager Glenn Hoddle took over in April 2001.

 

Rebrov, 27, is now waiting for a January transfer window for a move to relaunch his career. He started only nine games last season and made another 19 appearances as a substitute, scoring four goals. Rebrov has not started this season and appeared on a substitute list only for the Spurs’ first three matches, but never took the pitch.

 

Spartak, Russia’s champion nine times since 1992, is suffering a terrible season after a transfer policy that has proved unsuccessful. Scoreless in three Champions League matches, it is looking for new players to substitute for internationals who pushed out most of Spartak’s lineup.

 

In September Spartak lost striker Dmitry Sychyov, the 18-year-old rising star who accused the club of violating his labor contract and later was suspended for four months because of the dispute. Prospects for him to play for Spartak will remain clouded until a FIFA decision on the case. Yelinsky denied rumors that Sychyov might be traded for Rebrov.