Former Premier League striker denies wanting a booze up and cigarettes at meeting with prospective new club

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Emmanuel Adebayor has dismissed reports that claimed he asked for cigarettes and a shot of whiskey in his coffee when meeting with Lyon.

The former Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham forward was released by Crystal Palace this past summer when his contract expired, and in turn he met with Lyon officials last week to discuss a move to France.

While the move fell through due to the 32-year-old’s Africa Cup of Nations commitments in January as well as the French side signing another striker instead, conflicting reports suggested that manager Bruno Genesio had some rather odd reasons for not wanting to sign the Togo international.

“We had a place in our squad for Manu, so I arranged to meet him for a coffee in Lyon,” Genesio is reported to have said by Football France. “But, to my surprise, when he arrived he asked for a shot of whisky in his coffee. He also had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.”

However, Adebayor has wasted little time in dismissing the report and revealed that he will receive an apology from the journalist in question, as he also claimed that the striker had made some ridiculous demands including a private helicopter to take him to training and that he wanted a personal cook along with a villa that overlooked Corsica.

“Usually I do not comment on any transfer negotiations or speculation but this time certain matters need to be cleared up,” said Adebayor.

 

“We all had a perfectly amicable meeting in Lyon but the coach felt it was not fair on the young player’s development to sign us both and I felt I would not get the requisite game time I needed to make this opportunity worthwhile.

“For the avoidance of doubt I only drank water at this meeting and did not ask for whisky or have a cigarette.”

Adebayor has scored almost 200 goals in his career to date, but time will tell as to where he goes next as ultimately he will feel as though he can still do a job for the right club despite scoring just once in nine outings for Palace last season.

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