Real Madrid have started targeting other attacking stars after their proposed move for Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo now looks dead.

The latest speculation to come fresh off the rumour mill is that Madrid are preparing a bid for Tottenham striker, Roman Pavlyuchenko, this summer. Pavlyuchenko has struggled to make it into the first team under Harry Redknapp and is keen to get a move to Spain and a fresh start.

Real’s frailties have been all too apparent this season and Juande Ramos is already preparing his squad for the new challenges that will arise next season. The Russian striker could fit well into the Madrid side, he has plenty of strength and skill, combined with a healthy dose of determination.

It is also likely that Spurs will be looking to drop a few players from the squad this season as they shape up for a push into the top four next year. The Russian said today: “When my friends told me that Real approached Tottenham about me, I didn’t believe it. I thought it was some kind of wild rumour. Later I discovered that my move to Spain was indeed a possibility. But Spurs bosses didn’t allow for it.”

The problem for Mdrid is that if Pavlyuchenk does not want to move then it could be another player they look set to miss out on. Despite his inability to get into the Spurs side he has settled into English life and football, it is doubtful that the Russian will want to take on another culture and language having just got the grasps of another one.

Madrid have also reportedly approached Valencia in order to gain the services of striker, David Villa, for the next campaign. With Valencia in financial trouble this option is much more realistic, but apparently Villa has his heart set on a move to England to join up with Fernando Torres at Liverpool, a move which could see the Merseyside club jump in quality next year.

However, Real should not give up on Tottenham’s Russian import. There are many reasons why he would be a good signing for them. He is a very tall player who can drop off the front man, a virtue that not many big players possess. This could allow Ruud Van Nistelrooy, when fit again, to play for a lot longer in his career as he will have to do less work off the ball.

Pavlyuchenko is also clearly the sort of player that Real do not currently have. They are a slick pass and move side that rely on precision and pace, a lot of teams have realised this in Spain and work to cut it out. Then introduction of Pavlyuchenko will give something different to the side.

If Real make a good big then Spurs could well listen. Even if the Russian states that he is happy and settled at Spurs it is no secret in the football world that every player has a price and they could let him go as they have the cover in Robbie Keane, Jermaine Defoe and Darren Bent.

The EPL is back in action with a full slate of games over the next two days after a weekend off for some teams due to FA Cup games.

Tuesday’s matches feature 15th place Sunderland at home to 10th place Fulham, a first vs worst battle, with league leaders Manchester United travelling to Birmingham to take on cellar dwellers West Brom, 12th place Portsmouth is hosting fourth place Aston Villa, and 16th place Tottenham has a huge clash at White Hart Lane against 19th spot Stoke City.

Spurs vs Stoke
Tottenham will be a new-look squad after several signings in the transfer window, however, midfielder Wilson Palacios is suspended for the match against Stoke. Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who just came over from Chelsea in a free transfer, could possibly start in net as first choice keeper Heurelho Gomes is struggling both in net and with a thigh injury. Former Spur Pascal Chimbonda, who was just reacquired from Sunderland, wasn’t registered in time to play.

On the injury front Jermaine Jenas (calf) and top scorer Darren Bent (groin) are back training, while Alan Hutton (foot), Ledley King (hamstring) and Jamie O’Hara (hip) are still out. However, Aaron Lennon (groin), Jonathan Woodgate (back) and Luka Modric (back/hamstring) will be game-time decisions

For Stoke, leading scorer Ricardo Fuller should be back after serving a three-game suspension for slapping team mate Andy Griffin. Defender Danny Higginbotham (calf) will be a game-time decision, while Salif Diao (calf), Mamady Sidibe (knee) and Andrew Davies (knee) are all out injured.

Spurs played on Saturday, losing 2-1 to Man United in the FA Cup. Both teams were winless in the last five league games.

Sunderland vs Fulham
Teemu Tainio is available for Sunderland after serving a one-match ban and George McCartney returns from a long-term foot injury.

For Fulham, Diomansy Kamara (knee) is still out injured.

Fulham beat non-league side Kettering 4-2 with two late goals in the Cup on Saturday, while Sunderland drew 0-0 with Blackburn. Both teams have one only one of their last five league games and Fulham hasn’t won on the road all season.

West Brom vs Man Utd
West Brom is missing captain and former Man Utd player Jonathan Greening after he injured his knee during Saturday’s FA Cup game with Burnley. The club already has four centre-backs injured with Abdoulaye Meite, Jonas Olsson, Leon Barnett and Neil Clement all on the shelf. Ten players in total are out with injuries.

Man United actually have more players on the sidelines with 12 on the injury list. Fabio (calf) and Danny Welbeck (ankle) were hurt in Saturday’s 2-1 Cup win over Spurs. Nani, Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Rafael, and Patrice Evra are still out with injuries, while Anderson, Wayne Rooney, Jonny Evans and Ji-sung Park were also unavailable for Saturday’s game.

West Brom has won three of their last five, while Utd have won all five.

Portsmouth vs Aston Villa
Both teams could feature new signings as central midfielder Hayden Mullins and defender Pele could play for Portsmouth and striker Emile Heskey might see action for Villa.

Pompey is without injured players Papa Bouba Diop and Richard Hughes, but Younes Kaboul might return after missing five-weeks with a back injury. Moral seems to be pretty low, especially after being knocked out of the FA Cup at home to Swansea on Saturday.

For Aston Villa, defender Luke Young returns after missing Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Doncaster because of a one-game ban for receiving five bookings this season, but winger Ashley Young will miss the match as he serves the second game of a three-match suspension for a red card at Sunderland.

Potsmouth has only a draw to show for their last five league games while Villa has four wins and a draw.