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18:14 GMT, Friday, 1 August 2008 19:14 UK

Adebayor vows to stay at Arsenal

Emmanuel Adebayor

Emmanuel Adebayor insists he wants to stay at Arsenal and intends to sign a new contract at the Emirates.

The 24-year-old Togo striker, who scored 30 goals in 48 games last season, has been heavily linked with moves to AC Milan and Barcelona.

"Now I can tell everyone that, yes, I will sign a contract," Adebayor told the club's official website.

"I never told anyone I would be leaving this club, never ever. I'm very happy we've found a solution."

Adebayor added: "I have three years left on my contract and I'm putting two or three years more, so I'm very happy being part of this family."

He joined the Gunners from Monaco in January 2006, but his loyalty to the club had been in question after his comments that "a lot of teams want me to play for them" earlier this summer.

But Adebayor said his his relationship with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has not been affected by the speculation over his future.

"When we started talking about my contract I never told him I'd be leaving this club and he knew my desire," said Adebayor.

"My desire was to stay at this club so for me he's like my father, he's my boss so whatever he tells me I'll do it.

"Our relationship at the moment is always strong, there is no doubt about that."

Speaking at a press conference to launch this weekend's Emirates Cup, which features hosts Arsenal, Juventus, Real Madrid and Hamburg, Wenger said reports that Adebayor was keen to leave the club were wide of the mark.

"Adebayor is an Arsenal player and will play for Arsenal next season," he said.

"For me (there has been) no trouble because when a player is a true professional he goes onto the pitch and tries to play the football he loves.

"What is very damaging sometimes is that the player gets bad publicity against his own fans for things he has not said. That is sometimes difficult to repair. There is disappointment from the fans because they feel the player wants to go.

606: DEBATE
"Arsene will regret not selling him, mark my words - he will be a bad influence and have a poor season"
Arsenal 2008/09

"

"But all I can say is that when I was face-to-face with him he always said his priority was to stay at the club. And I told him that he has got his priorities right."



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Related to this story:

Agent says Adebayor move still on (12 Jul 08 |  Arsenal )
AC Milan track Drogba & Adebayor (07 Jul 08 |  Football )
AC Milan end interest in Adebayor (02 Jul 08 |  Arsenal )
AC Milan make Adebayor approach (19 Jun 08 |  Arsenal )
Adebayor receives BBC award (04 Jun 08 |  African )
Adebayor dismisses exit rumours (09 May 08 |  Arsenal )

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