Spurs have been in negotiations with Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City over making Adebayor's loan move permanent.
But while talks are progressing, it is understood the deal is far from complete.
Adebayor struck 17 league goals for Tottenham last season in what was viewed as a successful spell at White Hart Lane.
New manager Andre Villas-Boas is keen to keep the 28-year-old former Arsenal marksman, who has one year left on his City contract.
Adebayor will have to accept a drop in wages - he is reported to earn £170,000 a week at Eastlands - but this may be compensated for by a signing-on fee.
Tottenham have signed Belgium international Jan Vertonghen and Iceland midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson already this week as they rebuild under Villas-Boas.
Villas-Boas is tracking Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho, who is valued at £31.5million by the Portuguese club, but may have to offload Luka Modric before buying.
Real Madrid are interested in Modric, while doubt remains over the future of Rafael van der Vaart. German clubs Hamburg and Schalke have been monitoring Van der Vaart, but the Dutch forward has indicated he is likely to remain at White Hart Lane for another year.
"It's unbelievable how my name is speculated around Europe. I can only say this is speculation. I will probably stay at Tottenham," he told German newspaper Bild.
Source: PA
Source: PA