• Premier League

Spurs won't sign a striker in January

ESPN staff
January 10, 2013
Emmanuel Adebayor will miss much of January © Getty Images
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Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas believes it is unlikely that the club will sign Leandro Damiao or another striker in January.

Villas-Boas faces the prospect of negotiating most of the month with just one out-and-out senior striker, after Emmanuel Adebayor decided to play for Togo at the forthcoming African Cup of Nations.

Speculation in recent days has been rife that the north London club will look to sign long-time target Damiao to bolster the attacking ranks, but Villas-Boas believes any transfer activity is unlikely.

Instead, the Portuguese will rely on Jermain Defoe and the versatile Clint Dempsey - just as he did when Adebayor was out through injury earlier in the campaign.

"I don't think so," Villas-Boas said, when asked if Adebayor's absence would lead Spurs to buy a striker.

"We have been pretty happy with the team and what we have, with the options that we have.

"We understand that we can put ourselves in a difficult position if we do not add one more striker, if one of the striker gets injured between Jermain Defoe and Clint Dempsey.

"But we've been in this situation before when Ade was injured and we managed to go through it. It's difficult but it is not that great an amount of time that we lose Ade for."

The former Chelsea boss refused to comment on widespread reports that he and the club are unhappy with Adebayor's decision to represent his country at the tournament in South Africa.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City forward is set to miss a potentially vital home Premier League game against Manchester United.

Villas-Boas added: "Of course we lose him for a couple of important games, but I think we are able to cope with it."

Asked specifically about Damiao, Villas-Boas reiterated his earlier praise for the player but acknowledged that circumstances made it unlikely the signing would happen.

"Leandro is a player that we have always admired," he said. "But at this point, in this market, it is extremely unlikely he will play for Tottenham."

Damiao's club Internacional had earlier confirmed that at least one Premier League side had shown interest in the striker, although a deal in January would require a 'spectacular offer'.

"There have been some offers from Premier League clubs, but we have not yet decided what will happen with Damiao," club president Giovanni Luigi said. "It will be very difficult for something to happen in January unless we have a spectacular offer."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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