Adebayor and Johnson frustrate Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur failed in a last-minute attempt to snatch Arsenal's new signing Emmanuel Adebayor from under the noses of their north London rivals. Martin Jol's search for a left-sided player continues after a £1m offer for Middlesbrough's teenage winger Adam Johnson was also rejected.

Spurs refused to comment on their move for Johnson yesterday, while Adebayor admitted he met with officials from the club last Friday before signing for Arsenal instead.

"Other clubs like Tottenham and West Ham wanted me. I met a Tottenham official last Friday morning," he said.

"But the Gunners already made an offer for me late in August. I even talked myself with [vice-chairman] David Dein some days ago. He told me I was one of the major aims for Arsenal for the winter transfer window. It was dear to my heart."

The Spurs right-back Stephen Kelly could become the next player to leave after being linked with a move to West Ham as a replacement for Tomas Repka who is set to return home to Sparta Prague. Kelly handed in a transfer request last month because he wants regular first-team football.

The Spurs striker Mido, who is on international duty with Egypt in the African Nations' Cup, believes he will be out there for the duration of the tournament.

Mido has tipped the host nation to meet Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast in the final of the tournament, next month.