The prospect of embattled Togolese striker, Seyi Emmanuel Adebayo escaping his predicaments at Tottenham Hotspur to relaunch his career elsewhere has fallen through as West Ham United pulled the plug on a surprise deal to sign him.
The deal was reportedly close to being signed before West Ham’s opening Premier League match of the season against Arsenal with Adebayor keen to remain in London.
However, after the 2-0 victory at the Emirates, West Ham called Spurs to say they did not want to proceed with the deal in which they would have taken Adebayor for free but picked up his £110,000-a-week wages in full.
West Ham sources have confirmed that a fresh inquiry was made for Adebayor who the club tried to sign in the January transfer window before Spurs chairman Daniel Levy pulled the plug on the move at the last-minute on deadline day.
However, it remains possible that a move could yet be revived for Adebayor who has a year left on his contract at Spurs who are desperate for him to leave given his astronomic wages. The Togolese skipper who endured a torrid spell last season following a family squabble has been stripped of a squad number this season – Harry Kane has taken his number 10 shirt – and has been told he will not play for the club again.
The 31-year-old has turned down a number of offers including Aston Villa who are managed by Tim Sherwood, the former Spurs boss, who even showed the Togolese striker around Villa’s training ground and booked a medical.
Selling Adebayor remains a major concern for Spurs before the transfer window closes with the player having also refused to negotiate a payoff – as he has demanded that the remainder of his contract is paid up in full. Spurs do not want to do this.
West Ham are extremely keen to add a striker and had hoped to sign Javier Hernandez from Manchester United. The Mexican was understood to want to join Slaven Bilic’s squad in the search of regular first-team football but it now appears that he is regarded as back-up to Wayne Rooney – unless United sign another striker – and may not be allowed to leave.
West Ham are believed to have decided against Adebayor also because there is renewed hope that record signing Andy Carroll can make a significant impact when he finally returns to full fitness even though that may not happen until October.
By Olisemeka Obeche
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