Tottenham Hotspur have joined Arsenal and Lazio in the race to sign German international Lukas Podolski as the long term future of on loan striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been called into doubt. (Daily Mail)

The Togolese striker is currently on a season long loan from league leaders Manchester City, where the player was not even training for the first team.

However, in spite of City’s array of attacking talent, Roberto Mancini has no intention of allowing the player to leave without recouping a large portion of the £25 million the club paid Arsenal in 2009.

The Citizen’s reported asking price is a hefty £17 million, steep considering the club recently allowed Craig Bellamy to leave on a free, a player they paid £14 million for.

Spurs are said to be disappointed in developments, with Adebayor having made an impressive start at White Hart Lane, however they are already preparing for the likelihood that he will not be a Spurs player next season, with Podolski the top target.

Cologne are likely to demand a similar fee for Podolski as City will for Adebayor, however the difference is in the player’s wage demands. Adebayor wants £140,000 a week, Podolski will ask for markedly less.

Spurs join Arsenal and Lazio as keen admirers of Podolski, who has scored 9 goals in 11 Bundesliga appearances this season.

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