Former Lokomotiv Moscow chief executive Ilya Gerkus has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur had expressed an interest in signing Artem Dzyuba during the January transfer window. The north London side were reported to be looking for a new striker after the long-term hamstring injury for Harry Kane but ultimately, they were unable to pursue anyone.

Speaking to a Russian outlet, Gerkus has now revealed that manager Jose Mourinho was keen on landing the services of Dzyuba from Zenit St. Petersburg but the deal failed to materialise as the Russian outfit declined to sanction his departure, he told: “I know his agent, the man who did this.I know what Mourinho wanted Dzyuba. I know this for sure. Mourinho knows who Dzyuba is. He worked at the World Cup in Russia as a commentator on Russia Today and discussed, among other things, the Russian team.
“I think he knows very well the composition of the Russian team.I do not know all the details, but there was an option. Why did Jose need Dzyuba? Score goals, win matches. I think Artem would have scored 10 goals in a season, everyone would have been happy. Why not let him go? Zenit needed him. The club wants to win titles.”
Aside from Kane, Spurs had to deal with the absence of Heung-min Son with a fractured arm at the start of February and they were in a poor run of form before the season was temporarily suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic in March. The three-month break has allowed both Son and Kane return to the first-team fold after their respective injuries and the duo are expected to play a key part for the club during the final nine games of the league campaign.
Irrespective of this, it won’t come as a surprise if Spurs consider a move for a back-up striker this summer. Kane has succumbed to muscular injuries during the backend of the current and previous campaign and Mourinho will be hoping to pursue a new marksman, who can reduce the workload of the England international.