Van der Vaart wants Adebayor stay

Rafael van der Vaart is so keen for forward Emmanuel Adebayor to stay at Tottenham he even joked he would pay the tall striker some of his own wages if it convinced him to stay at the club past the end of the season.

Adebayor, was in fine form during Spurs’ 3-1 home win over Swansea City netting twice, is due to return to parent club Manchester City at the season’s finale.

The 28-year old has surprisingly become something of a cult hero at the lane since his arrival at the club especially considering he previously spent three seasons at arch rivals Arsenal.

"He is a great player for us, works his socks off and we love him here," Van der Vaart told the London Evening Standard.

"He played for Real Madrid, Arsenal and City and I was surprised he came but I hope he stays.

"He is a top striker, one of the best I've played with. I played with Ruud Van Nistlerooy, (with Real Madrid and Holland) he was fantastic.

"Normally strikers wait for their chances and score but he [Adebayor] is working and even when he doesn't score he is still important for the team and that's what makes him a big man for us.

"Last season I had a good understanding with [Peter] Crouch but with him it's even better. He is tall, strong and also is not selfish."

With Adebayor’s wages at cash-happy City being so expensive, perhaps too expensive for Spurs’ price range van der Vaart jokingly said he will asked the Togolese striker if he needs some of his wages to stay there.

"I think he doesn't need it but I will ask him," joked van der Vaart.

Adebayor has found the net 14 times for Tottenham this season and is Harry Redknapp’s first choice striker.

@simonblaquiere1

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