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Emmanuel Adebayor Image Credit: Supplied

London: Emmanuel Adebayor is ready to rebuff attempts by Fulham and Monaco to lure him from Manchester City, after emerging as Jose Mourinho's leading target at Real Madrid. City manager Roberto Mancini, who has sanctioned Roque Santa Cruz's loan move to Blackburn, had been reluctant to offload Adebayor until a deal had been struck with Edin Dzeko.

Dzeko's arrival in a £27 million (Dh156.33 million) move from Wolfsburg last week has now paved the way for Adebayor to leave Eastlands just 18 months after his pounds £25 million transfer from Arsenal.

Although City have yet to receive a direct approach from Real for Adebayor, senior figures have been made aware of the Spanish club's interest in a six-month loan with a view to a permanent deal.

Real manager Mourinho is a long-term admirer of the 26-year-old, having previously attempted to sign him at Chelsea. With Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain ruled out, Adebayor would provide competition for Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Tottenham Hotspur are also in the hunt for Adebayor .

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is desperate to land a striker and is also considering a bid for Luis Suarez. Adebayor's wages of £160,000-a-week would be a problem and have already ended interest from Aston Villa and Liverpool this month.

Although Fulham would be prepared to negotiate a permanent deal for the player, it is understood that Adebayor will not leave City for a club who are unable to offer him European football.