Roy Hodgson has emerged as a surprise contender in the race to land the player
Liverpool are being linked with a shock January loan move for Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor. The rangy Togolese forward has fallen out of favour at Eastlands under the stewardship of Roberto Mancini, and Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has emerged as a surprise contender in the race to land the player. Reports in the Daily Mirror at the start of the month claimed Liverpool would battle Spurs for the former Arsenal striker's signature, and now speculation in the Metro claims that the Citizens will look to offer Adebayor's services in a bid to smooth relationships with a view to a potential future move for Fernando Torres. Juventus have also been heavily linked with a move for the player, but with the Italian giants yet to produce a concrete offer for the player it seems an Anfield switch is now a realistic possibility. Adebayor began his career at Sporting CL in his homeland before moving to Metz in 1999. After four years with the club, a move to Ligue 1 Monaco provided the player with a chance to showcase his skills before Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger made a £3 million in 2006. At the Emirates, Adebayor made a slow start to his career before developing into one of the best forwards in the Premier League during his three-year stint with the Gunners. However, he would leave Arsenal in relatively acrimonious circumstances, with City paying a fee thought to be in the region of £25 million to take him away from north London. After a bright start to his City career, the arrival of Mancini has seen a drop in playing time for the 26-year-old, which in turn has led to speculation over an exit. Liverpool are known to be in the market for a striker as Hodgson searches for an attacking foil for Torres, and the Anfield chief is willing to spend some of his £35 million transfer war chest on a high-calibre player. Mario Gomez, Luis Suarez and Johan Elmander have all been linked with a move to the Merseysiders, but Adebayor could represent the best value to Liverpool due to the loan opportunity. His challenge would be to keep his Spanish striker too of course, helping to create a formidable forward line at Anfield. The Carlos Tevez saga may impact City's decision on whether or not they let the former Arsenal man leave the club, but Liverpool are well positioned should the link become more of a reality in the New Year.
Mali international and Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita has refused to predict the winner of the 2010 FIFA Ballon D'Or.
Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Xavi are the three finalists for the award but Keita refuses to name his preferred winner.
"Even under torture, I think I would not say who has the greatest chance of winning, or just give you my preference. It's too hard to decide," the former Lens player told FranceFootball on Thursday.
"If I say Messi is the best player in the world, then I'm forgetting Xavi, who gives him so many balls and has achieved a great year. And if I name Xavi, I overlooked the 2010 World Cup of Iniesta and we know that it matters much. As for me the winner will be "In.Xa.Mes. They have to share it."
The winner will be revealed January 10, 2011.