Spurs had already turned their attentions away from the player who impressed for Russia at Euro 2008, having failed to agree a fee with Zenit for the 27-year-old playmaker.

Zenit gave Tottenham until Monday of this week to meet their demands and have now pulled the plug on the proposed deal.

They have stated on their club website that because "the uncertainty of the situation does not make it possible for the club to seek out a replacement for Andrei, Zenit consider the question of the transfer of the player to Tottenham closed".