Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has claimed the club are on the verge of completing the loan signing of striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, possibly paving the way for Roman Pavlyuchenko to leave the club.
The former Chelsea player had already undergone a medical at West Ham and appeared on course to join Gianfranco Zola's squad.
But, according to Redknapp, the 31-year-old is set to move to White Hart Lane on loan for the rest of the season from Monaco, subject to a medical.
Redknapp was quoted by The Sunas saying: "We've been talking about him for nearly two weeks and when we heard West Ham were interested we made our move.
"We are not paying a penny more than West Ham were offering him.
"Two identical deals were on the table. In the end it was a straight choice for Eidur."
New West Ham co-owner David Sullivan yesterday reacted angrily to Spurs making a move to sign Gudjohnsen.
Sullivan said: "We thought we had a deal and the player had even had a medical. We then heard that Tottenham were trying to speak to the player. I can't say I am happy about it but I believe in Karma and what goes around, comes around."
Inevitably, talk of Gudjohnsen has increased speculation surrounding the future of Spurs striker Pavlyuchenko and Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has expressed his interest.
McLeish has been linked with the likes of Ryan Babel and Kenwyne Jones, but Pavlyuchenko is emerging as his top-target after he expressed his desire to leave Spurs.
"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 €15 million 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 £40 million 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 I would have the full backing [from the board].
"We need a striker before the window closes, it is imperative."