Blues are desperate to add a new striker to their squad and McLeish would ideally like high-calibre arrival. He has been linked with the likes of Ryan Babel and Kenwyne Jones, but Pavlyuchenko is emerging as his top target. The 28-year-old has expressed his desire to leave Spurs, and a number of clubs in his homeland are keen. But Birmingham are keen to offer him an option to stay in England and Eidur Gudjohnsen's imminent arrival at White Hart Lane would seemingly pave the way for Pavlyuchenko to move on. "I would take Pavlyuchenko, of course I would," he told Sky Sports News. "Whether we could afford it and take that step, as it would be a big step for us to go for a player like that, and certainly if wages were not too outrageous then that would be reasonably attractive - he is a great player." McLeish played down suggestions Birmingham would be paying £13million for the Russian, which is reportedly Spurs' asking price. "I think we would be struggling to pay that, we have said we have £20 to £40million to spend, but I doubt we would be spending that at this juncture and I don't think we need too," he said. "We would like to keep the bigger money for the summer but if there is a deal to be done I would hope we get the full backing [from the board]. "We need a striker before the window closes, it is imperative."
