Adebayor’s in but Blues will ‘not sell Terry’
MANCHESTER CITY last night closed in on the £25m signing of Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor – but were then told to forget about adding John Terry to their star-studded revolution.
Adebayor, 25, yesterday passed a medical and was then granted a work permit, meaning his move to Eastlands is now merely a formality.
But Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon soon dampened City spirits by issuing a stern hands-off warning for Blues captain Terry, who is said to be the subject of third City bid this week, in the region of £40m.
Boss Mark Hughes believes he can offer Terry a “new challenge” at Eastlands – as well as a massive pay hike – and the England captain has so far been notable in his silence.
Kenyon, however, last night insisted Terry is not for sale at any price and claims the player has privately told Chelsea officials that he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge. “He is not available at any price,” he blasted. “He’s got a three-year contract. He’s told us he doesn’t want to go and we don’t want him to go. End of story.”
Kenyon’s confidence surrounding Terry’s loyalty is also shared by Blues midfielder Michael Ballack, who claims to have spoken to his captain about the rumours. “To be honest, I read it in the papers so I spoke with him,” the German said.
“I don’t want to talk too much about our conversation, but I have the feeling he will play for Chelsea next year. I don’t want to speak about what can happen. I think he will stay and all other stories are speculation.”
While the Terry row escalates further, Adebayor looks set to waltz into Eastlands almost unnoticed today, with the Togolese striker joining the likes of Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez in Hughes’ £80m recruitment drive.
Arsenal are eyeing Bordeaux’s £12m-rated front man Marouane Chamakh as a possible replacement.