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Emmanuel Adebayor could be reunited with Tim Sherwood as Spurs use him in their bid to sign Christian Benteke.

Spurs are challenging Liverpool for the signature of Aston Villa's Belgian striker.

But like Liverpool, Tottenham believe Aston Villa's £32.5m buyout clause for Benteke is too high.

Spurs hope Sherwood's relationship with Adebayor from their time together at White Hart Lane will work in their favour.

Sherwood has already proved he knows what makes Adebayor tick.

(Image: Ian Walton)

After being brought in from the cold by Sherwood in 2013/14, the Togolese scored 14 goals in just 25 games for Spurs.

One potential stumbling block could be Adebayor's huge £100,000-a-week contract, which comfortably tops Villa's current highest earners.

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Spurs chairman Daniel Levy may have to subsidise Adebayor's wages to get him off the books, as he was prepared to do in January to enable the Togo striker to join any interested club other than rivals West Ham.

(Image: Action Images)

Benteke, 24, has two years left on his contract and has no intention of signing a new deal to extend his stay at Villa Park.

Liverpool also have players who could be makeweights such as Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini.