• Premier League

Real Madrid end pursuit of Adebayor

ESPN staff
July 31, 2011
Emmanuel Adebayor has been marginalised at Manchester City © PA Photos
Enlarge

Jose Mourinho insists Real Madrid are not in talks to sign Emmanuel Adebayor, despite the Togo international's presence in the crowd as Real beat Leicester in a pre-season friendly.

Adebayor has been frozen out at Manchester City under Roberto Mancini, spending the second half of last season on loan at the Bernabeu as Real finished runners up to Barcelona in La Liga.

He was not included in the travelling party for City's pre-season tour of America, and has fallen even further down the pecking order following the £38 million arrival of Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid.

One of his exit routes has now been shut off, pushing him closer to a loan move to Tottenham Hotspur, who have made no secret of their desire to bring him in next season. It remains to be seen whether City will allow a player to join one of their rivals for a Champions League place, however.

Asked if he was looking to seal a permanent deal for Adebayor, Mourinho said: "No. He is here because he is our friend and he belongs to us. He is one of us. It doesn't matter if he is playing at Real Madrid or Manchester City or another club, he is one of us.

"He was with us for six months and went to the heart of everybody. He is a great lad and everybody loves him. When he called us asking permission to come here today, there was not one second of thought. He was with us in the dressing room and he is always welcome."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices