THE proposed transfer of Togo forward Emmanuel Adebayor has been
halted after the player's current club, AS Monaco, made a last
minute decision not to sell the 21-year-old striker.
Hammers had agreed a deal with Monaco and Adebayor had expressed his desire to move to Upton Park when a late u-turn by the club meant a deal could not be reached.
West Ham United Managing Director Paul Aldridge explained: "We had been watching Emmanuel Adebayor for a number of weeks and after seeing him play against Portsmouth, West Ham United approached Monaco regarding the player's availability.
"At first we were told by Monaco that the player was not for sale unless the fee paid was substantially over the market price. However, over this weekend the club contacted us again saying that they were now prepared to discuss the possibility of the player's transfer at a price closer to our own valuation.
"After initial discussions went well, Alan Pardew and myself flew to Monaco on Monday to meet the club's Vice President Mr. Brianti. After discussing the deal at length we reached an agreement on the valuation and payment structure for Emmanuel Adebayor's transfer to West Ham United.
"Mr. Brianti then contacted Monaco's President, who sanctioned the deal and gave us permission to speak to the player.
"We moved quickly to meet with Emmanuel. Alan had a long conversation with the player, which went extremely well, and Emmanuel was very keen to agree personal terms and conclude his move to West Ham United.
"Late on Monday evening we agreed personal terms with the player and his agent, with all parties seemingly satisfied at the deal we had reached.
"Early on Tuesday morning we were completing the paperwork and making arrangements for the player to travel back to England with us to undergo a medical and visit the Boleyn Ground and Chadwell Heath Training complex.
"It was then that we received a telephone call from Monaco saying that the club had changed their minds and that Emmanuel was no longer for sale.
"Obviously this is extremely disappointing, not only for West Ham United, but also for the player, who was very excited about the possibility of moving to England and playing for West Ham United.
"Unfortunately, unless Monaco change their decision the deal cannot be completed and Alan Pardew will now move on to look at other transfer targets."