Football news

Manchester City’s Emmanuel Adebayor has agreed a deal with Tottenham Hotspur, according to reports.

Adebayor, 28, has scored 18 goals in 37 games for Spurs since he moved to White Hart Lane on loan, helping the club to finish in the top four. On Thursday, new Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas revealed that the Togolese was high on his list of targets.

“It would be a lie if I tell you we are not looking for a striker,” Villas-Boas told reporters.

“And of course Ade is part of that list. We are extremely willing to have Ade­bayor on board with us.”

Altintop set for Galatasaray move

Galatasaray have agreed to ink a four-year contract with Real Madrid’s Turkish international midfielder Hamit Altintop.

Galatasaray will pay Real €3.5 million for Altintop, who will receive an annual fee of €2.9 million for the first two years, plus €20,000 per game, according to Anatolia news agency.

Altintop will receive €2.75 million for each of the remaining two years, plus €25,000 for each game he plays.

Altintop’s twin brother Halil plays in Turkey for Trabzonspor.

Kolo Toure set for Turkey switch

Manchester City defender Kolo Toure is in talks with Bursaspor over a move to Turkey.

Toure was a £16 million arrival from Arsenal three years ago and remains one of the most popular players at City. However, he has never recovered his first-team spot after being forced to spend six months on the sidelines.

Toure did make enough ap-pearances to qualify for a Premier League winner’s medal last term as Man. City ended their 44-year wait for the title.

However, with skipper Vincent Kompany and England’s Joleon Lescott now established as manager Roberto Mancini’s first-choice defensive pairing, Toure is open to the prospect of a move... Bursaspor have emerged as an option.

Kewell named Aussie ‘greatest’

Harry Kewell has been voted Australia’s greatest ever footballer.

Kewell was awarded the honour, which was decided by public voting and the input of a panel of experts, at a ceremony late Thursday in Sydney.

The 33-year-old, who returned recently to England after a season in the A-League with Melbourne Victory, was not present to collect the award but des-cribed the accolade as “an incredible honour”.

More than 15,000 public votes were cast during the selection process, while a panel of players, administrators and commentators also helped determine the winner.

Lennon keen to keep striker Stokes

Celtic manager Neil Lennon insisted he wants Ireland international Anthony Stokes to remain at Parkhead despite reports the striker is set for a move.

The 23-year-old has been at Celtic since 2010 but is out of contract next summer and Lennon hopes he can keep the former Arsenal youngster.

“I’ve not heard a thing about other clubs being interested. He had a great season last year,” he said.

“He’s still young even though he’s been around for what seems a lot longer. There is scope for him to improve. He’s a goal-scorer and I wouldn’t be in too big a hurry to let him go.”

Inter confirm interest in Lucas

Inter president Massimo Moratti has confirmed his club is working towards signing Sao Paulo winger Lucas Moura this summer but insists it will be a long process.

Inter reportedly face fierce competition from Manchester United and Chelsea for the 19-year-old starlet.

When asked if Inter had made headway in their negotiations to acquire Lucas, Moratti said: “Yes we have but the progress that has been made is to see whether or not there is a chance (to buy the player).

“Now we have to see if we can manage to carry it out. These are things that have to take place by putting everything together, which also means taking a look at our revenue.”

Udinese complete midfielder signing

Udinese have signed Brazilian midfielder Reginaldo de Matos Maicosuel from Botagofo, the Italian club confirmed yesterday.

The 26-year-old joins the Serie A outfit on a permanent basis for an undisclosed fee.

A statement from Udinese read: “Brazilian midfielder Regi-naldo de Matos Maicosuel is an Udinese player.

Maicosuel has earned the nickname of “the Magician” in his country for his play and dribbling abilities.”

This is Maicosuel’s second spell in Europe having played for German Bundesliga side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the 2009-10 season.