Real Madrid are on the verge of sealing a loan deal for Manchester City's Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor to replace the injured Gonzalo Higuain, Spanish media reported.

The online edition of sports daily Marca said the agreement to sign the Togo international until the end of the season could be completed "within hours" while public radio RNE said the two clubs had already reached a deal.

Real made the move for Adebayor after its efforts to sign Dutch forward Ruud Van Nistelrooy -- who left Real one year ago -- were blocked by Hamburg's resistance to his departure from the German club, according to Marca.

Higuain underwent surgery to fix a slipped disc earlier this month and is expected to be out of action for another four months.

The player, who was signed from River Plate in 2007, normally partners Cristiano Ronaldo in the front line and has been coach Jose Mourinho's choice ahead of French international Karim Benzema.

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