Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko says it was he who rejected a move to Zenit St Petersburg.

Zenit were hopeful of agreeing a deal to take the troubled striker on loan initially, with a view to a permanent transfer in the summer.

But Spurs want a straight cash deal and, desperate though Pavlyuchenko has been to quit north London, he does not want to play for the hated rivals of his former club, Spartak Moscow.

He said: "I'm sorry, but I cannot imagine myself playing in Zenit colours.

"In the last couple of days I have received an avalanche of phone calls from my friends and the media asking if it is true I will move to Zenit.

"Some papers had presented it as if my transfer had already gone through.

"I may disappoint some and calm down others by saying that my move to St Petersburg is not an issue. And I must stress this is my personal choice.

"I just cannot imagine myself wearing Zenit's shirt."