Russian set for Sevilla switch

Sevilla are poised to clinch the signing of Russian striker Aleksander Kerzhakov.

The Primera leaders have been trailing the striker for several months now, but have finally decided to push through a move for the 24-year-old.

A fee of ‚é¼5million (£3million) has been agreed with Kerzhakov's club, Zenit St Petersburg, and the player is scheduled to arrive in Spain on Wednesday evening to complete the formalities of the transfer, signing a five-year deal.

A Russian international, Kerzhakov has an admirable scoring record for both club and country and will strengthen a Sevilla side who are pushing for glory on three separate fronts - La Liga, Copa del Rey and Uefa Cup.

The hit-man has 95 goals in 205 appearances for Zenit and eight in 32 for his country whom he represented at the 2002 World Cup and 2004 European Championship.

Sevilla have first-hand experience of his predatory instincts with Kerzhakov having scored against them in the first leg of last season's Uefa Cup quarter-final between the two teams that Sevilla won 4-1.

However, Sevilla's attempts to prise Czech international defender Tomas Ujfalusi from Fiorentina appear to have proved less successful with the Serie A outfit insisting they will not sell the cultured stopper.

"We will not negotiate for the player," Fiore's director of sport told Marca. "He is not for sale in January and it would be very difficult in June."

Spanish sources claim Sevilla will turn their attention to promising Argentine defender Juliano Fazio if Ujfalusi proves unobtainable.