Spurs line up Adebayor swoop SPURS are lining up a sensational swoop for Emmanuel Adebayor.
The North Londoners want the unsettled Manchester City striker on loan in the January transfer window.
They also fancy an option to buy him at the end of the season. And while the sides are bitter rivals for a top-four Premier League spot, City have not ruled out a deal.
A Tottenham insider said: "There is a real chance we could land Manu in the transfer window - although a lot does depend on who pays his wages.
"City expect us to pay the bulk but the big question is how far our board are prepared to go."
Former Arsenal striker Adebayor, 26, earns £160,000 a week - double what anyone else is on at White Hart Lane.
Last year he hit 14 goals but this term has played only eight Premier League games and four of his five goals have been in the Europa League.
And there have been reports of dressing room bust-ups with City boss Roberto Mancini, with the centre-forward unable to command a regular start. Sun
Chelsea and City at war over Luiz CHELSEA and Manchester City are gearing up for a bidding war over Benfica's Brazilian ace David Luiz.
The Portuguese champions need to raise funds after crashing out of the Champions League and hope to cash in with their £25million-rated star.
Central defender Luiz, 23, who also doubles up at left-back, has suffered a strained relationship with his Benfica bosses.
The star was unhappy after they rejected City's summer bid.
Now Chelsea look set to move in during January's transfer window following the long injury lay-offs to John Terry and Alex.
A Benfica insider said: "Going out of the Champions League affected our financial plans. We want to re-evaluate the situation."Sun
Out-of-favour Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz may return to his native Paraguay to secure first-team football again, according to his father and agent."The priority is to stay in Europe," Aproniano Santa Cruz told Paraguayan network ABC Digital. "But a return to Paraguay can still be taken into account. After all, he wishes to remain in contention for the national team."
The Paraguayan World Cup striker endured a difficult first season at City following his £17.5million move from Blackburn Rovers last summer. A calf injury did little to help Santa Cruz, who scored three goals in 19 appearances for Manchester City last season.
A move to Lazio appeared to be on the cards in the summer, but it fell through in the end.
And with the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor , Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli ahead of him in the Manchester City pecking order, Santa Cruz is desperate for first-team football again.
It was reported last week that the 29-year-old could even return to Blackburn Rovers , for whom he scored 23 goals in two seasons
Manchester City reportedly bid €6m for Spartak Moskva teen Jano AnanidzeJano Ananidze Related LinksCompetitionsPremier LeaguePremier League TeamsManchester CitySpartak Moskva PlayersJano Ananidze Manchester City have reportedly made an offer for Spartak Moskva midfielder Jano Ananidze .
According to sources cited by the German 4-4-2 Web site, the Eastlands outfit have bid €6 million for the 18-year-old's services.
Ananidze is a highly talented and versatile attacking midfielder, who can also play as a winger or support striker. The Georgian is considered a wonder-kid in his home land and is deemed one of the brightest talents in the Russian Premier League. Ananidze has a natural playmaking style, which includes pace, technique, dynamic movement, excellent vision and great passing abilities.
When he arrived at Spartak Moskva from Dinamo Kyiv Under 19s , his amazing talent was immediately spotted by Russian coaches, and the Russians offered to nationalise him so that he could play for their national team.
Ananidze refused, saying he was a proud Georgian and wanted to represent his country, and in 2007, when he was only 17 years old, he won his first cap for Georgia.
Ananidze is contracted to Spartak Moskva until 2014.
WAGVENT CALENDAR BOLOXhttp://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/wagvent-2008TODAY'S BOLLOXBayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer is Mancester United's top target to replace current number one Edwin Van der Saar - who is expected to retire at the end of the season. Daily Mail
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson wants to bring Sunderland striker Darren Bent to Anfield. But it may take about £22m to lure the 26-year-old away from the Stadium of Light. caughtoffside.com
Juventus are continuing to show interest in Liverpool forward Ryan Babel while Sevilla are keen on the Reds' Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva. Daily Mail
Blackburn's French defender Pascal Chimbonda has been placed on the transfer list, only four months after he was blocked from joining West Ham. Daily Mail
Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart says his heart belongs to Hamburg and although he is happy at White Hart Lane, he wants to return to the German club again one day. fourfourtwo.com
Meanwhile, Spurs winger David Bentley could become the latest Premier League player to find a home at Turkish club Galatasary. footylatest.com
Aston Villa are ready to rekindle their interest in Tottenham striker Robbie Keane with a £6m bid in January. Daily Mail
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would need to smash the club's transfer record to recruit Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. Wenger could act as early as January to sign the £25m-rated 22-year-old. caughtoffside.com
Aston Villa's out-of-favour midfielder Stephen Ireland is set to hold crunch talks over his future at the club. Daily Mirror
West Ham defender Jonathan Spector is set to move to Germany in January, with Cologne the favourites to sign the 24-year-old. United States international Spector has German heritage. talksport.co.uk
Bolton manager Owen Coyle is still confident in-form striker Johan Elmander will stay at the club despite the Swede rejecting a new deal. The Sun
Cardiff City manager Dave Jones thinks he needs five new signings in January to seal the club's promotion to the Premier League. Daily Mirror
Crystal Palace will sell highly rated goalkeeper Julian Speroni and midfielder Neil Danns in the January transfer window if the duo fail to sign the new contracts they have been offered. Daily Mail
League One high-flyers Charlton and Brighton are chasing Luton Town midfielder Andy Drury. The 27-year-old's brace earned the Hatters an FA Cup replay with Charlton on Saturday. talksport.co.uk
Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola will resist any future approach from Chelsea because he wants to work with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Daily Mirror
Liverpool left-back Paul Konchesky admits his performances have not been good enough this season. The 29-year-old took full responsibility for being caught out of position and allowing Aaron Lennon to score the winner for Spurs in Sunday's Premier League game. The Sun
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker will miss Tuesday's Carling Cup quarter-final against Manchester United, having played in Saturday's Premier League victory over Wigan with a chest infection. Daily Mail
The Hammers will hit the Football Association with a £10.5m writ as they seek compensation for former striker Dean Ashton who was forced to retire after injuring his ankle while on England duty. The Sun
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher will learn on Tuesday if he needs an operation on his dislocated shoulder. Initially ruled out for a month, surgery could mean he is out of action for three months. The Sun
Hollywood film star Morgan Freeman has been drafted in by the USA Bid Committee hoping to help win the right to bring the 2022 World Cup to the United States. mlssoccer.com
Cornish village team Madron FC have been branded the worst team in Britain - by their own manager! The team has lost 11 games on the trot, conceded 227 goals (scoring only twice themselves) and has been on the end of a 55-0 thrashing. The Guardian