Brazil star Love admits: I was close to joining Spurs in January

By Ashley Gray for MailOnline
Updated: 21:56 EST, 18 February 2009

Brazil stiker Vagner Love has revealed how close he came to joining Tottenham in the winter transfer window.

Spurs made a formal offer, which was rejected by CSKA Moscow, according to the 24-year-old, who has also been tracked by Everton.

Vagner Love still has ambitions of playing in the Premier League and impressed at Villa Park last night, scoring the opening goal in a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa in the UEFA Cup last 32.

Premier League-bound? Love impressed against Villa

'Tottenham were the only team to make and official proposal,' he said.

'But our president did not accept it and considered it to be a low offer. Everything else was speculation.

'I have contract until the middle of 2010 with CSKA. I've been at the club for four and a half years and I'm well adapted here.

'I still play in a better European league - Spain, England or Italy - but that will happen in time.

'It is a bit complicated for me to look my best here. (Brazil coach Dunga) hardly watches a game in the Russian championship. If I'm playing the Champions League it is a little easier for him to attend.'

CSKA's trip to Villa Park comes in the Russian league's pre-season.

Vagner Love in action for Brazil against England at Wembley in 2007

Their championship finished in November and does not re-start until mid-March, and Vagner Love admits the circumstances will make the tie difficult.

'It is difficult to stop in the middle (of the UEFA Cup campaign), but it is our schedule and we have to learn to deal with the situation.

'We need time to work until the day of the game. Of course, we had lost the rhythm, but we played friendlies to recover it.

'Aston Villa have been doing well this season and I think it will be a very good game.'

Brazil legend Zico will takes charge of CSKA for the first time after being named new coach of the Russian league runners-up in January.

He has recalled compatriot Daniel Carvalho to the squad following the international midfielder's loan spell back home with Internacional last year.