Emmanuel Adebayor a Confirmed January Transfer Target of Besiktas

Besiktas have announced their intention to sign Tottenham's Emmanuel Adebayor, as David Cartlidge of the Mail Online reports.

The striker was linked with a move away from Spurs this summer, and Ahmet Nur Cebi—the vice president of the Turkish club—confirmed the speculation, per Cartlidge.

"We were interested in Adebayor in August," he said. "The club will target Adebayor again in January, but it's difficult to sign such marketable players."

Adebayor had supposedly been waiting for better options, per Cartlidge's article, but the writer claims his continued absence from Spurs' first team could see a change of heart.

The Togolese striker had recently been given compassionate leave following the death of his brother but has since returned to the club and been ordered to train with the development squad, as The Mirror's Darren Lewis reports.

Adebayor is yet to make an appearance this season, although he finally made the bench for the recent Europa League tie with Sheriff Tiraspol.

Following the summer arrival of Roberto Soldado and rumours of a fallout with Andre Villas-Boas—per Lewis' article—he seems removed from the first-team picture, with Jermain Defoe also vying for selection.

Adebayor's time at White Hart Lane has been disappointing, following an initially promising loan deal.

That first year back in London, he struck 17 goals in 33 games, finishing the season as the Premier League's fourth-top scorer. He was responsible for 26 percent of Spurs' 66 goals, registering another 11 assists, according to WhoScored, and his clinical play helped his side finish in fourth.

Unsurprisingly, that prompted a permanent deal, but his form last season was far less convincing. Adebayor found the net just five times in 25 games, adding just one assist (per WhoScored) in what was a severe drop in form.

His lack of production was one of the main reasons Spurs missed out on the Champions League by just one point. Had he replicated his efforts of the previous season, his side would have undoubtedly edged past Arsenal.

Following Gareth Bale's sale, Spurs have spent the summer bolstering their squad with some of Europe's finest players, with most of the assembled cast recognised as creators.

Thus far, however, they have still had a struggle finding the net.

Villas-Boas' side have scored nine times in nine Premier League games, aided by three penalties, and it's quite clear they could do with additional firepower up front.

Besiktas' interest in Adebayor will presumably be welcomed in order to secure that upgrade.