Mourinho plays down Adebayor link

Jose Mourinho has denied Real Madrid are closing in on the signature of Manchester City’s Emmanuel Adebayor.

Adebayor spent the second half of last season on loan with the La Liga giants and has been linked with a permanent switch to the Spanish capital.

The ex-Arsenal man watched from the stands as Madrid beat Leicester City 2-1 in Saturday’s pre-season friendly, but Mourinho insists the 27-year-old was merely a guest, rubbishing suggestions he was in talks to secure a move.

“No. He is here because he is our friend and he belongs to us. He is one of us,” Mourinho said when asked if Adebayor was at the King Power Stadium to seal a stay in the Spanish capital.

“It doesn’t matter if he is playing at Real Madrid or Manchester City or another club, he is one of us. He was with us for six months and went to the heart of everybody. He is a great lad and everybody loves him.”

“When he called us asking permission to come here today, there was not one second of thought. He was with us in the dressing room and he is always welcome.”

“If he comes he comes, if he doesn’t it doesn’t matter. We will all know by August 31 who is in and who is out and where they are playing. But today he came as a friend and he is always welcome.”

Speculation over the European summer has linked Karim Benzema with a move away from Real with Arsenal mooted as a potential suitor, but Mourinho is adamant that the France international will not be leaving the club.

He said: “There is no speculation. He is not for sale, no chance.”