Roman Pavlyuchenko set to end White Hart Lane hell with move to Spain

Roman Pavlyuchenko’s misery at Tottenham is set to end in January with a move to Spain – with Valencia favourites to sign him.

The Russian striker – who arrived from Spartak Moscow for £14million just 15 months ago – is becoming frustrated by his lack of first-team opportunities.

He is now behind Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch in the pecking order and has spent most of the season on the bench.

The 27-year-old is anxious that he will lose his place as first choice with Russia should they reach the World Cup finals in South Africa via the play-offs.

Valencia are ready to give him first-team football. They are massively in debt and are prepared to sell David Villa for £35m and bring in Pavlyuchenko to fill the gap.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will want to recoup at least £12m of their initial outlay.

Manager Harry Redknapp wants to extend the career of Ledley King by at least one more season.

King, 29, has chronic knee problems and his contract is up in June, but there is an option to keep him for another 12 months.

Redknapp wants Spurs to trigger that clause.