Race to sign Tottenham striker is heating up

Earlier today, we reported that Queens Park Rangers, led by former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp, were favorites to sign Emmanuel Adebayor. Now, however, it looks like two more Premier League clubs have entered the race to sign the Togolese striker.

West Ham have made a late move to sign Emmanuel Adebayor. The Spurs striker has rejected an offer to go to Crystal Palace. @MirrorFootball

— Darren Lewis (@MirrorDarren) February 2, 2015

Hammers' move for Adebayor is understood to be on loan. No decision yet on whether he has agreed to go. @Mirrorfootball

— Darren Lewis (@MirrorDarren) February 2, 2015

We scoured (read: quickly googled) the Internet for any rumors linking Adebayor to Crystal Palace, but couldn't find any. If Palace were interested, then they kept their interest surprisingly quiet. West Ham appear to be in the market for another striker having recently had a bid for Bafetimbi Gomis turned down as well. A loan move for Adebayor probably isn't what Tottenham are looking for, especially to a club that's contending for Europa League places, like West Ham. That said, a good half season on loan at a decent team could restore some of Adebayor's value and allow Spurs to sell him at a decent price this summer.

One major worry, at least for me, is that offloading Adebayor, whether permanently or on loan, leaves Tottenham dangerously thin upfront. Harry Kane has been good, but this is the most he's played in a very long time. Roberto Soldado is capable of spelling Kane, but I'd like to have at least one other striker capable of filling in from time to time.

Update: BBC Journalist Ben Smith, who is a bit more reliable than Darren Lewis, has now also reported that West Ham are in on Adebayor, though he claims the deal has little chance of happening.

West Ham are exploring the possibility of signing Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor, initially on loan. Small chance.

— Ben Smith (@BenSmithBBC) February 2, 2015