Arshavin set to join Bentley at Spurs

Bentley, the 23-year-old England winger, was scheduled to complete his medical later on Wednesday evening before a deal worth around £17million to Blackburn is completed.

And it looks set to be a productive few days for the north Londoners after Arshavin's agent, Dennis Lachter, revealed that a deal should be concluded for the Russian playmaker "in the next five days".

Spurs have called a press conference for Thursday morning to unveil Bentley before he travels to Holland to meet his new team-mates and play in the Feyenoord Jubileum Tournament in Rotterdam this weekend.

Rivals Arsenal, Bentley's former club, stand to receive a percentage of the deal as part of the terms of his transfer to Ewood Park in 2006 after an initial loan spell.

The winger made just nine appearances under Arsene Wenger but will join Sol Campbell as the only high-profile players to feature for Arsenal and Spurs in the modern era.

Bentley has a spiky relationship with fans for his outspoken honesty, and the first derby against Arsenal this season will be on October 29 at Emirates Stadium.

Spurs head coach Juande Ramos has plenty of options in midfield, with Aaron Lennon already in Bentley's position, but he is still short on firepower following Robbie Keane's departure to Liverpool and Dimitar Berbatov is also tipped to leave. 
 Russia forward Arshavin has been subject of interest from Spurs and Zenit St Petersburg have invited them to make a bid upwards of £20million.

According to Arshavin's agent, personal terms have been agreed and a deal could be struck by the weekend if the two clubs can agree a fee.

Lachter, Arshavin's representative, told Sky Sports News: "I am very optimistic about this deal but it is not easy - as usual with Russian clubs.

"The next few days will see if he can confirm this move to Spurs.

"Andrei likes the way Juande Ramos is going to play at Tottenham and this is the main point of our decision - not only the money but the desire of the manager to have the player."

Of his hopes for when the deal might be completed, Lachter added: "I hope in the next five days, maximum."

Arshavin, who caught the eye at Euro 2008, told Sport Express in Russia: "I have already taken a final decision. It only remains to finalise it with the club management."