Wenger calm on free-spending rivals

Arsene Wenger insists he is unconcerned that his likely title rivals for the coming season look ready to spend huge amounts again this summer.

Arsenal finished within four points of Chelsea and Manchester United last season but while it has been another frugal summer in North London - with the sales of Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva financing moves for Samir Nasri and Aaron Ramsey - both Sir Alex Ferguson and Luiz Felipe Scolari are plotting multi-million pound signings.

It is now no secret that United are looking to sign Dimitar Berbatov in a deal that could reportedly reach £28 million, while Chelsea have utilised Roman Abramovich's riches to sign Jose Bosingwa and Deco, with Brazil stars Kaka and Robinho also targets that could fetch a world record transfer fee.

It is a familiar situation that Wenger finds himself in, as the move to Emirates Stadium has caused the North London club to be more reserved in the transfer market in recent seasons, and despite suggestions that The Gunners are in danger of slipping away from both Chelsea and United, the Frenchman is unconcerned by the current transfer climate.

"No it doesn't bother me too much," said Wenger.

"I know at the start of the transfer market Chelsea can buy who they want, and I cannot stop that."

Arsenal could be forced into the market for a striker if Emmanuel Adebayor joins Barcelona though, as the Togo international has seen his future at Emirates Stadium plunged into doubt by a contractual dispute.

Adebayor has failed to endear himself to Gunners fans by asking for a similar wage to former captain and all-time record goalscorer Thierry Henry after his success in scoring 30 goals for the club last season.

Saturday's pre-season friendly against Barnet saw some pointed songs directed at the striker by the travelling support but his manager is refusing to judge Adebayor after reputed quotes from the player and his agent regarding his situation this summer.

Wenger - who claims he has not attached an asking price to last season's top scorer - has urged the former Monaco man to respect the club's wage structure as the uncertainty over his future continues.

"No [we have not put a price on his head], at any price if you come in tomorrow with £400 million then I will think about it! I do not want to go into any speculation, I want to keep Adebayor," Wenger added.

"I don't know what has gone on because a lot has been denied, it is very difficult to know what is true and what is said and not said, he denies 99 percent of it.

"I have never met many people who have said 'I do not have a case for a new contract'! We are always ready and I fight always to get the players the maximum wages but you have to respect the wage structure."

Wenger expects Adebayor stay

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger expects star striker Emmanuel Adebayor to still be a Gunner for the start of the new season.

Adebayor has been strongly linked with a summer move to Milan, although Arsenal have always maintained their desire to retain the Togo international.

Speaking after Arsenal's 2-1 pre-season friendly win over Barnet, Wenger stated he expects Adebayor to make his first appearance at training.

"Adebayor is under contract," Wenger told Sky Sports News. "We expect him to turn up on Monday and practice with us."

"Of course," he replied when asked if Adebayor will be with Arsenal at the start of the new Premier League season.

Wenger has lost Alexander Hleb although the French tactician was anticipating his exit to Barcelona by admitting they planned on signing Samir Nasri as his replacement some time ago.

"He had an opportunity to leave. He's done three years. I'd loved him to stay but on the other hand he was in a strong position," he continued.

"We had to accept that and we anticipated that by bringing Nasri in. So that was planned for a long, long time ago."

Arsenal have snapped up Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff this summer and Wenger has confirmed he is looking to add to his squad prior to the transfer window closing.

He said: "Yes you can expect signings. I don't know where and how many, but we're in the market. If there's a good opportunity we'll take it."

Arsenal chairman unaware of fresh developments over duo's future

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood is unaware of any fresh developments in the 'long-running sagas' over Alexander Hleb and Emmanuel Adebayor's future.

Belarusian midfielder Hleb has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona, and is reportedly set to complete his transfer in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Adebayor's future is uncertain with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger insisting the striker will remain at Emirates Stadium, despite interest from AC Milan and Barca.

When asked of the latest news on the duo's futures, Hill-Wood told the club's official website: "No, nothing new. But it is a long-running saga in both cases."

So far this summer Wenger has landed teenage midfielder Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff and France international Samir Nasri from Marseille.

And Hill-Wood is excited by the potential of Arsenal's latest recruits ahead of the new season.

He said: "I don't know a great deal but it doesn't terribly matter what I think. The man who matters is Arsene Wenger and he has very high hopes for both of them.

"They are pretty young and Arsene believes they can be pretty fine players. Nasri is a bit more advanced than Ramsey, who is 17.

"Samir has played at the top level and is an established player already. They are two very exciting prospects and they will strengthen the squad in a big way."

Wenger's want-away generation paint Arsenal into a corner

Manager faces new problem as still developing players flex their muscles for money, writes David Hytner

As ever, Arsène Wenger used his quick wit to disarm the questioner before restating his conviction with characteristic coolness. The Arsenal manager spent the duration of Euro 2008 flitting between Switzerland and Austria in his work as a pundit for French TV and a corporate-function speaker for an oil company. Back in London, though, the fires burned.

With Mathieu Flamini gone on a Bosman to Milan, increasing doubts had been placed against the futures of Alexander Hleb and Emmanuel Adebayor, and there had been noises of disquiet from other key players. Did a part of Wenger not wish that he was at home to tackle the problems? "I enjoy it more here," he said with a smile to his audience in Basle. "Because in London I am much more confronted with problems. Here I have a little distance. But I am very calm about the situation because I don't know why I should be nervous.

"It's like when you take a penalty, if you are nervous it doesn't help. I will approach it with my usual calm. My biggest challenge is to make sure I have a competitive team next year, no matter who it is."

Adebayor and Hleb were both outstanding last season. The former scored 30 goals in all competitions; the latter demanded attention with his quick feet and weaving dribbles. At present, though, there is unfulfilled potential in them and this is what makes their potential departures so disturbing for Wenger. Hleb, who has repeatedly voiced a desire to leave, is close to a move to Barcelona, and Adebayor, who has been a master of the mixed message since the end of the season, has admirers at Barcelona and Milan. It was reported in Italy last night that Adriano Galliani, the Milan vice-president, was due to meet Wenger in the south of France at the weekend.

In the past relative underachievers who have been signed by Wenger - Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry are perhaps the best examples - have been improved and moved on after giving the club their best years. Only when injuries began to hit and their form dipped were they ushered off in exchange for big fees. The contrast with the cases of Hleb and Adebayor, and even Flamini and Lassana Diarra, who left for Portsmouth last January, is unsettling.

"Vieira and Henry were probably just coming past their peak," said Nigel Winterburn, a former Arsenal left-back. "They'd given everything and Arsène would not stand in their way. He doesn't like confrontation anyway. But Hleb and Adebayor he would feel very let down by. This is the first time that established players have wanted to move before Arsène has fully polished them up and that is a bit of a worry."

The heads of the pair have been turned not only by the prospect of glory but by the force that controls the game. It is already deposited into their bank accounts in large sums every month but they know that they can improve their incomes elsewhere, particularly in a market which is short of top-quality attacking talent. Hleb has been promised a significant rise at Barcelona and Adebayor has been quoted as saying that he believes he should now earn the same as Henry, the player he has effectively replaced. Adebayor currently gets £35,000 a week; Henry took home more than three times that in his final Arsenal contract.

Wenger, who must decide whether to sanction a move for Gilberto Silva to Panathinaikos, often comes across as a romantic, a man wedded to principle and unwilling to conform to the eye-watering excesses of 21st-century football. Just as it would affront him to buy a superstar for £30m, he finds it crass the way Chelsea have thrown their new money around. It beggars his belief that Adebayor should be worth £100,000 a week after one season.

Yet there is also a pragmatic edge to the Arsenal manager and the strict wage structure he has put in place. He has raised its ceiling only for Vieira and Henry and he steadfastly offers one-year contract extensions to players turned 30.

"If Adebayor is looking for £100,000-a-week plus, he is not going to get it at Arsenal, especially after one good season," Winterburn said. "Henry performed over many seasons. Look at what he achieved and won. He built up to his final contract.

"Arsène has a value for every player, in wages and on the market. If you come to a stalemate over wages and another club offers that player's value, he will leave. Arsenal have never been the best of payers. You have to decide whether you like being at the club and being paid well or if you want to chase the very top money."

The chairman, Peter Hill-Wood, and his directors have repeatedly said since the move to the £357m Emirates Stadium in 2006 that Wenger has had money to spend. The club borrowed £260m for the move at a fixed rate of 5.3%, which looks very good in the current financial climate, and their annual repayments of £13.78m are manageable. They have sold 91% of the units at the old Highbury and expect to make £300m upon completion of the development, and the new stadium has almost doubled match-day revenues.

The last trophy, though, was in 2005 and departures from the squad Wenger is trying to develop can only fracture the rhythm. He will not change his methods but, if the want-aways blossom elsewhere, the lines in his brow may yet deepen.

Adebayor would be a huge loss - Sagna

Arsenal right back Bacary Sagna understands Alexander Hleb is on his way out of Emirates Stadium, but feels Emmanuel Adebayor would leave a huge void if he followed the midfielder out of the exit door.

Hleb has made it clear that he wants to head away from London, having expressed his frustration with life in the English capital, and Barcelona are hot on his trail.

Sagna has resigned himself to seeing Hleb move on, but feels the club could find the ideal replacement in Samir Nasri.

As far as Adebayor is concerned, the French defender claims he would be less than happy to see the giant Togolese sign with another club.

“It’s part of football…we also lost Mathieu Flamini, who was an important player in midfield,” Sagna told L’Equipe about Hleb.

“That’s a shame, but I’m not worried. Samir [Nasri] should arrive soon and then there are a lot of young players knocking at the door.

“It may be a good chance for them to make the step. Then, of course if Emmanuel [Adebayor] was to leave, it’d be a massive loss.

“But we’re not there yet.”

Peter Hill-Wood on Adebayor and Hleb sale

Arsenal have warned Barcelona and Milan that they have no intention of selling Emmanuel Adebayor, but Alexander Hleb would appear to be heading for the exit door.

Adebayor has caused consternation at The Emirates by demanding a huge pay hike following his superb season, with his comments alerting Milan and Barcelona to his situation.

Gunners chief Arsene Wenger has expressed frustration with the state of the transfer market, suggesting the balance of power is in favour of the players, but if he demands Adebayor stays then the Frenchman will have the backing of his chairman.

"We want him to stay, definitely," Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood told The Daily Telegraph. "Adebayor still has a long time [three years] left on his contract, and we have absolutely no intention of releasing him from that contract.

"You want to keep your best players and Adebayor is one of those."

Belarus star Hleb is one of Arsenal’s better players, but it would appear The Gunners have conceded defeat in their attempts to retain his services.

Hleb has admitted he is frustrated with life in London and although interest in his services has cooled in recent weeks, Hill-Wood expects him to head for pastures new.

”Hleb has made it clear he wants to go,” Hill-Wood added. “I think maybe he will go.”

Wenger admits that Arsenal have to keep selling

"The strategy of the club is to sell every year and to buy less expensive players," he told the News of the World.

Manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that Arsenal intend to continue selling their prized assets for the next 17 years.

The Gunners sold Thierry Henry to Barcelona for over £16million last summer and re-invested £7.5m of that money on Croatia striker Eduardo.

This summer, Emmanuel Adebayor and Alexander Hleb have been linked with big-money moves away from the Emirates Stadium.

And Wenger has revealed Arsenal must continue to make a profit in the transfer market in order to cover the costs of their new stadium.

"We manage at Arsenal to maintain all our football ambitions - national and European - while having to free up - for 17 more years - an annual surplus of £24m to pay for our stadium.

"The club's strategy is to favour the policy of youngsters ahead of stars and to count on the collective quality of our game."

Adebayor signed a new long-term deal with Arsenal last summer but is looking for a significant wage increase to stay at the club.

Barcelona have already bid £24m for the Togo international, who cost the Gunners in the region of £3m from Monaco in January 2006, while Milan are also interested in the 24-year-old striker.

Wenger also voiced his frustration at the current state of the transfer system, which he feels encourages in-form players to seek more lucrative deals elsewhere rather than honour their existing contract.

"If I had the power to change anything basic in football, it would be the transfer system which makes mercenaries of players," he added.

"If they are bad ones, they stay and, if they are good, they think only of leaving.

"I have fought for them to earn a very good living, but I impose respect for their contract upon them."

Milan withdraw from Adebayor race

Milan have conceded defeat in the race to sign Emmanuel Adebayor as they cannot match his asking price, with the development seemingly leaving Barcelona in pole position to sign the Arsenal striker.

After scoring 30 goals for The Gunners last season, Adebayor has warned Arsene Wenger he will leave the club if his wage demands – reportedly in the region of £120,000-per week – are not met by the North London club.

While Wenger insists publicly that there is no chance Adebayor will leave the club, the player’s outburst at the weekend has led to intense speculation over his future in The Premier League with both Milan and Barcelona stating their interest in the Togo star.

Adebayor hinted at the weekend that a move to Barcelona would be preferable given their participation in the Champions League and Milan have now made his quandary much easier by withdrawing their interest in protest at his possible transfer fee.

Rossoneri vice president Adriano Galliani rued the fact that Serie A sides cannot compete at the top end of the market when announcing that Adebayor was no longer a target.

“Adebayor is overridden by continuous requests for €45 million (£35.6 million), these figures are impossible for clubs in Italy,” Galliani told the Italian press.

“In fact, the top footballers in the world do not come here any more.

“When big clubs like Barcelona and Chelsea arrive it is impossible to compete, because they have a much more advantageous fiscal situation.”

Fabregas is hopeful that Hleb and Adebayor will stay at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners' pair have been linked with a move to Barcelona as Josep Guardiola rebuilds his recently-acquired squad.

Fabregas, who was an important piece in Spain's Euro 2008 campaign, has said that he prefers that Hleb and Adebayor stay with the team and help overhaul Manchester United in the Premier League.

"Hleb and Adebayor? I hope that when I come back from vacations I will find them at Arsenal, because they are two very important players," he said upon his arrival in Barcelona to celebrate the Euro 2008 trophy.

"I hope that will stay with us, but they are big boys already so they can decide on their future."

Hleb arrived from VfB Stuttgart in 2005, while Adebayor joined one year later, coming from AS Monaco. Both have come on in leaps and bounds over the last 12 months, comfortably stepping into the void left by Freddie Ljungberg and Thierry Henry.

Arsene Wenger is determined to keep both of them despite some rather explosive utterances from their agents.

Adebayor set to tell Wenger he wants move from Arsenal

Emmanuel Adebayor indicated yesterday that he will tell Arsène Wenger next week that he wants to leave Arsenal to join Milan or Barcelona. The striker said he had been promised a conversation with his manager next week to discuss his future and sounded keen to leave the Emirates for what he considers a bigger stage.

Adebayor described Wenger as "like a father to me" but sounded ready to end the relationship with his manager. "He put me where I am today, no doubt about that," the Togo international said. "But if he sells me, and what they are saying in the newspapers is right, they are going to get €50m (£39.5m), maybe €60m for me and they bought me for €10m. So everyone is getting benefits. They have to make a good decision and I have to make a good decision as well."

Wenger has said that he does not want the striker to leave the club and the Milan vice-president, Adriano Galliani, admitted this week that it did not look as if Arsenal were going to sell. "When there's a contract and the club who owns him says no, then it's no," he said.

Adebayor, however, appears confident that he can persuade Wenger to cash in on him. "I had a dream of playing for Arsenal and Arsenal are one of the loveliest clubs in the world," he said at an event organised by his boot supplier, Adidas. "When I go back to Africa it is obvious that a lot of people love the club. But now I have a chance of playing with one of the biggest clubs in the world. I haven't had a chance to speak to the manager yet. But we will sit down next week and decide what is good for my career."

Adebayor, signed by Arsenal from Monaco, has attracted interest from Barcelona as well as Milan after scoring 30 times last season and could expect a wage rise if he moves. Yesterday the 24-year-old added that a decision of what to do "would not be difficult" and suggested he was in control of his own destiny.

"We will have to meet with the manager before anything can be decided," he said. "But, as you know better than anyone, a lot of teams want me to play for them. It will not be a difficult decision. I'm just going to sit down with my agent and with my family and decide what is good for my career."

He wants his future resolved by July 21, when Arsenal begin pre-season training, and hinted that he could be persuaded to stay if the club finally meet his demands for a significant pay-rise.

"I have a promise from Arsène that they will call me next week because I asked them to look at my contract and see what they wanted to do," he said. "Now I am waiting and then I will decide."

Adebator: I'm staying at Arsenal

Emmanuel Adebayor has told a news conference that he will be staying at Arsenal this season, despite reports linking the Togo star with both Milan and Barcelona.

Adebayor scored 30 goals for The Gunners last season and it had been feared he would follow Mathieu Flamini out of the Emirates Stadium exit door, with Alexander Hleb also expected to leave North London.

A leading Italian agent, Vincenzo Morabito, even claimed on Wednesday that there was an 80 percent chance of Adebayor joining Milan after the Rossoneri made him their number one summer transfer target.

However, the popular striker has now seemingly put all speculation to bed by insisting he will be at the forefront of Arsene Wenger's title challenge next season.

"I can see some more years because now I have a good contract, I have a good team there," said Adebayor.

"I am playing for one of the biggest teams in the world and I am more than happy to keep on enjoying myself and that is all.

"Yes of course [I am staying], I have three more years contract so whatever happens I have to stay. I am staying at Arsenal."

Seaman: Adebayor loss can ruin Arsenal

David Seaman believes Arsene Wenger faces a massive test to keep his Arsenal side together if he loses Emmanuel Adebayor.

Italian giants AC Milan concede they face a tough task to prise the Togo striker away from the Emirates but insist they will not give up.

Midfielder Mathieu Flamini has already defected to Milan and Wenger has snapped up Marseille playmaker Samir Nasri to offset the impending loss of winger Alexander Hleb.

But Seaman maintains the loss of Adebayor, who hit 30 goals last season, would still be a hammer blow. The former Gunners keeper said last night: "There have been a couple of surprises in the people that have left and when you are looking at the squad, which is not the biggest in the world, it's worrying.

Then, when you see the names bandied around that might leave it makes you worry more. Adebayor would be a massive loss."

Seaman saw Wenger unearth a string of top class players during his time under the Frenchman, such as Nicolas Anelka, Kolo Toure, Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit.

The Gunners boss is now at the European Championship armed with his cheque book and Seaman maintains that if anyone can appease a club's worried fans with a surprise signing it is Wenger.

He added: "No-one knows who he is watching and then he just pulls one out of the hat and everyone says: 'Where did he come from?'".

Wenger revealed he has been deeply impressed by Russia's much-sought-after playmaker Andriy Arshavin.

He said: "I won't invent anything if I say he has been the revelation of the tournament. A rumoured contact with Arsenal? As usual (there's speculation), but I've never met him."

Adebayor is third in Player of the Season poll

“Give him the ball and he will score,” sing the Arsenal supporters about Emmanuel Adebayor. We’ll admit the Togolese targetman does not hit the net every time but 30 goals was certainly a very satisfying return in 2007/08. That tally helped him finish third in Arsenal.com's Player of the Season poll with 20.19 per cent. Editor Richard Clarke officially opens Adebayor Week with his reflections on the big man’s big contribution.

Emmanuel Adebayor may have taken third spot in the Player of the Year poll but, in many ways, he is still underrated by Arsenal fans.

When the side stumbled towards the end of the last campaign it was the Togolese targetman who seemed to bear the brunt of any criticism coming the team's way. Let's not overblow this, no-one was booing him from the stands or persistently berating him on messageboards but, going on the strength of callers to Arsenal TV’s Friday Night Forum, there was a sense among some that the team needed something or someone better in his position.

Quite rightly, Tom Watt and the panel were left scratching their heads.

Adebayor has been the mainstay of the attack for the past two seasons. In that time he has been partnered by Henry, Reyes, Van Persie, Bendtner, Eduardo, Baptista, Ljungberg, Aliadiere and Diaby yet the statistics tell us goals have not really been a problem. He deserves much of the credit for that.

The other thing worth remembering is his age. At 24, he could still be four years away from his peak. Certainly, it is easy to plot a graph of improvement since his move from French football in January 2006. Let's look at just one example.

Towards the end of that 'Final Salute' season, Arsenal went to Portsmouth in need of three points to keep them in pole position for the fourth and final Champions League spot. Whisper it quietly but Tottenham had spent most of that season above Arsène Wenger's side and this was a crucial game in hand. Thierry Henry gave the visitors a deserved lead but, either side of half-time, Adebayor missed simple chances put them in the comfort zone.

When Lomana Lua-Lua forced a draw, the Arsenal striker was in the firing line. It is strange to think it now but he may have struggled to recover if Arsenal had not pipped their rivals on Final Salute Day itself. Compare that underconfident performance with the one at White Hart Lane last season or the wonderstrike at Newcastle.

Adebayor is not built to be the poacher, the six-yard box merchant who waits for this chance. His game is far more versatile than that. Yet last season’s goal return of 30 (24 in the Premier League) is comparable with one of Henry's better years. Say no more.

One of the most exciting sights in the current Arsenal side is seeing a sprinting Adebayor go one-on-one with the last defender. Suddenly the 6ft 4ins striker seems about 9ft 6ins as his cowering opponent has to decide whether the forward will outsprint, outthink, outskill or outstrength him.

The briefest of trawls through the memory banks brings up some telling highlights of last season - those volleys against Spurs and Newcastle, cruising past John Terry at Stamford Bridge leaving the Chelsea defender in his wake, the cleverest of knockdowns for Eduardo's goal at Manchester City, hitting hat-tricks home and away against Derby and scoring 11 times in nine straight games around the turn of the year.

Can any other Arsenal player match those individual achievements last season?

The other thing that many supporters won't know is Adebayor's character. While Emmanuel Eboue is THE song and danceman of the Arsenal camp, his namesake is certainly next on the bill. The former Monaco man is always chatty, always positive and, crucially, always up-for-it.

When Adebayor arrived at Arsenal, the side were being bullied out of certain games. As a result I now have a pathological hatred of the M6 motorway; partly because it does not move that often but mostly because I have travelled back on it from countless games with a sense of injustice after Wenger's boys had slipped to another disappointing defeat on the road.

That does not happen anymore. Arsenal are big enough in stature and heart to fight for their right to play. Adebayor has been key to that transformation.

He may come from a place that most would struggle to locate on a map but actually you could argue that Adebayor is a classic English striker. Tall, combative and powerful. But that is not the whole story. He is really Wenger's version of the classic English striker - tall, combative and powerful... and fast and technical and capable of scoring beautiful goals.

Third place and 20 per cent of the votes is the least he deserves.

Source:arsenal.com

Milan: Arsenal don't want Adebayor sale

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani claims Arsenal are unwilling to sell Emmanuel Adebayor, despite reports in Spain claiming that Barcelona are on the brink of capturing the striker.

It has been claimed that Adebayor’s wage demands could well force an exit from Emirates Stadium and both Barca and Milan are heading the queue for the Togo international’s signature.

The Italian giants have made signing the man who scored 30 goals last season their top priority for the summer, but it is believed that Barcelona could be closing in on Adebayor having revealed they will sell Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o.

Despite the growing speculation about an imminent departure, Galliani has revealed that, for now, Arsenal remain opposed to selling the former Monaco striker.

"Adebayor has a contract, I'm always a pessimist by nature," Galliani told the club’s official website.

"Look at last year when Real Madrid said Kaka was theirs. If the club don't allow you in there's nothing you can do.

"If the player's at the end of his contract then his wishes are important, but if not and there's a contract and the club who owns him says no, then it's no. At the moment, it's no.

"Does it depend on Wenger? He's the Arsenal manager, a representative of the club, and at the moment the club isn't selling. Everything depends on Arsenal, but when a club says their player is indispensable there's not a lot that can be done.

"Of course things could always open up but at the moment I must keep to Arsenal's official line and that is that for the moment there is no possibility of negotiating."

Milan are looking for fresh blood up front after seeing Ronaldo struck down with a long-term injury and Galliani has stated that Adebayor is their only target at present.

"At the moment there is only one deal in motion, and that's for Adebayor," he added.

"Milan remain true to their word, either Adebayor comes or we keep things as they are, with (Alberto) Paloschi.

Adebayor's triumphant return to Togo

Togo and Arsenal star Emmanuel Adebayor has just been on a "tour of hope" across West Africa to his homeland, where he was presented with the BBC African Footballer of the Year award for 2007. The BBC's Farayi Mungazi travelled with him.

Adebayor was mobbed when he returned to his former school

Emmanuel Adebayor's self-styled "tour of hope" that took him to Ghana and Togo left me with a different view of today's professional footballer.

The Arsenal and Togo striker is not particularly showy.

For a man with little education, he projects himself with consummate ease and is unfailingly polite.

He reminded the cynic in me that not all professional footballers are arrogant millionaires with egos that match the size of their pay packets.

Due to his status as an African football icon, playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, Adebayor is mobbed wherever he goes.

"I enjoy the attention because it shows that people love me for what I do," the 2007 BBC African Footballer of the Year said, when asked about the non-stop adulation.

But, he says: "I'm a normal person; in the morning I clean my teeth like everyone else."

Everywhere we went, Adebayor kept his childhood friends close, reminding him of the time he had nothing.

Household name

Adebayor may not yet be at his peak as a footballer, but the Togo captain is fast becoming one of the finest Africa has to offer.

The 24-year-old is now a household name; his meteoric rise aided by a string of scintillating displays for English Premier League side Arsenal.

I told myself that I only had one chance to survive and that was to be a footballer Emmanuel Adebayor

In Ghana, where Adebayor went to school, some people wait years to see Otumfuo Osei Tutu II - a revered man and king of the most powerful and richest part of the country.

But Adebayor got an appointment within months, and was able to sweet-talk the palace into a second one after a no-show the previous day.

The audience with the football-loving king brought him to the heart of the Ashanti kingdom, about which his late father once told him stories.

Like most African stars in Europe, Adebayor was born and raised up in a desperately poor family, and his is a classic rags-to-riches tale to rival any other.

He grew up in a dilapidated house in a poor suburb of the Togolese capital, Lome.

His mother sold dried fish at the border with Ghana, earning barely enough to feed the family and buy the young Emmanuel his first pair of football boots.

The family was so poor that once he was left in hospital for seven days because his parents could not afford to pay for the treatment.

'Hard work'

"I think a lot of people know me just on the pitch," Adebayor says.

"They don't know where I come from and they don't know how I began."

"I put in a lot of hard work to be where I am today, but I'll never forget what it was like when I was young.

"Life was very difficult, and I told myself that I only had one chance to survive and that was to be a footballer."

Adebayor did not have to wait long for an appointment with the king

Adebayor did not enjoy school, skipping classes to play football - though now, on his "tour of hope", he encourages children to stick to their studies.

He sees it as his chance to give something back to Africa's youth.

When he left Togo for France to embark on a professional career in 1999, not many would have foreseen that a football superstar had been unleashed.

"When I was going to Europe, I remember what my mother told me at the airport; she said: 'Manu, you see where we're living, you must go to France and do something good because we need your help.'"

He has now built her a huge, double-storey mansion in Lome, which is surrounded by shacks and run-down buildings.

But his mother has refused to move in, preferring to live with the friends who once knew her as the "Haton patchwork woman" - someone so poor that she could not afford a matching dress and headgear.

Nine years after launching his professional career, Adebayor speaks passionately about the need for him to inspire youngsters with a similar background to his.

"When I was growing up I had someone to help me, to give me something, and today I'm in a position to help others, so helping people is always a pleasure for me."

Source:BBC

Milan desperately want Adebayor

Milan will intensify their efforts to prise Emmanuel Adebayor away from Arsenal this summer, after the Italian side's vice- president Adriano Galliani said yesterday that the Togolese striker was the club's only transfer target.

Galliani had previously stated that Chelsea's Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o of Barcelona and Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov, together with Adebayor, were on Milan's radar as they looked for fresh blood up front after Alberto Gilardino's departure to Fiorentina and the serious injury to Ronaldo. But Galliani's determination to land Adebayor, who scored 30 goals for Arsenal this past season including one against Milan in the Champions League last-16 tie, has hardened.

"One single player interests us and that is Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor," said Galliani. "If he doesn't come, then nobody will come and we will keep the team as it is in attack."

Adebayor has sent mixed messages since the end of the Premier League season. He said that he was "flattered" at the interest from Milan and was also quoted in the Barcelona-based newspaper El Mundo Deportivo as stating that he would be "delighted" to play for the Catalan club if they can ever reach an agreement with Arsenal. "I don't know whether it would happen now or in two years or in 10 but I would love to play there," he said.

However, he has also maintained with vehemence that he is happy at Arsenal and wants to stay, leading to suspicions that the links to top European clubs are an attempt for leverage in the pursuit of a pay rise. Milan, though, who have already taken the midfielder Mathieu Flamini from the Emirates Stadium on a Bosman free transfer, insist that they are in talks over Adebayor, who Arsenal say is not for sale. "We are in negotiations with Arsenal, who are not willing to sell at the moment," said Galliani. "We'll see how far we can get with our offer. If the English club still don't want to sell, then too bad."

Adebayor not ruling out Milan switch according to his agent

Milan have contacted Arsenal about a move for Emmanuel Adebayor and the player would be open to the move, according to his agent.

The Serie A giants have declared interest in the Togo striker on many occasions in recent months, but the player has repeatedly insisted he will be at Arsenal next season.

However, his agent, Stephane Courbis, was quoted in an Italian newspaper revealing that, should Arsenal accept a bid, the player would be interested in joining Milan.

"The player is fine at Arsenal, but when Milan come in for you it's difficult to tell them no," Courbis told Corriere dello Sport.

"I know that Milan have contacted Arsenal and now everything depends on what Arsenal want to do.

"I'm not an Arsenal director and so I can't say if the club have changed their mind about the player and (if so) why.

"I know that Milan is one of the biggest clubs in the world and, when they want to take you, you have to really consider it. It's difficult to say no to Milan."

According to Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani, the club has been given permission to talk to Chelsea star Didier Drogba and, amid reports his club are keen to offload the striker, it had been expected that that they would make the Ivory Coast star their main addition up front.

However, Courbis believes Milan would prefer Adebayor to Drogba as they want to inject some youth into their ageing squad.

"With Adebayor, Pato and Kaka, who in the world would do better?

"It's true that Milan have quite an old squad, but this is why they signed Flamini and that's also why they want to sign Adebayor, who is 24 years old, whereas Drogba is 30.

"This is what Milan wants."

Adebayor eyes Gunners trophy haul

Emmanuel Adebayor has made it abundantly clear that he expects to be at Arsenal next season, insisting he plans to score 40 goals and help The Gunners end their wait for silverware.

Arsenal have not won a major trophy since 2005, and a cloud has begun to hover over Emirates Stadium as first team stars Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb plot their futures away from North London.

Adebayor, who equalled Fernando Torres as second top scorer in The Premier League last season, emerged as a major target of Milan, the same club that lured Flamini.

However, Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed on Sunday that he has opened talks with Didier Drogba after missing out on Adebayor, and the Togolese forward insists he is desperate to win trophies at Arsenal.

"I scored 30 goals last season and I can get 40 next time," he told the Daily Star. "I am happy and I love scoring.

"We want to do well after last time. We will do everything to win things next season. In our heads we want to win."

Wenger: Fabregas and Adebayor going nowhere

An adamant Arsene Wenger claims Milan will ‘get the answer they deserve’ if the Rossoneri's public declaration of interest in Emmanuel Adebayor ends with a phone call to the Arsenal manager.

Vice-president Adriano Galliani has made no secret of his side's interest in Adebayor but Wenger has been angered more than once this summer by clubs publicly sounding out his star players.

Wenger is still attempting to fend off interest from Inter and Barcelona in the apparently wantaway Alexander Hleb.

Adebayor has issued statements that are open to interpretation regarding his future, but Wenger insists that the Togo striker is going nowhere.

"Adebayor's under firm contract. If AC Milan are interested they just have to call me and get the answer they deserve," Wenger said.

Wenger also issued assurances regarding the future of Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Arsenal’s much-admired Spaniard has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Real Madrid.

"Fabregas will be at Arsenal next season - that looks obvious to me," added Wenger.

Emmanuel Adebayor has once again reiterated he is happy at the club

Following Mathieu Flamini's highly criticised move to Milan on a free transfer at the end of this season, and with Alexander Hleb seemingly soon to follow, many have begun talk that this is the beginning of the end for Arsene Wenger's young Gunners, who started the season so well, only to crash out of all four competitions in humiliating fashion.

However, the Arsenal squad have heard all the criticism in the world. They were in fact tipped to drop out of the top four this season without Thierry Henry, but instead recorded one of their best ever points tallies in the Premier League.

Despite rumoured interest from Barcelona and even Milan, Adebayor has once again stated his loyalties lie with Arsenal.

“I came to Arsenal with a mission to succeed," said the Togo international.

"I’ve assured the gaffer Arsene Wenger I’ll stay because I believe in the team and I want to assure the fans my concentration is here.

“I have no reason to leave so I’ll stay to ensure that together we’ll win silverware.

“Mathieu’s a good player but his departure doesn’t mean Arsenal is about to collapse. Our team is a deep well of talent.

“I am confident we are capable of winning titles and we will return for next season hungrier to be successful.”