Tottenham looking at other options after Adebayor jeopardises move - Villas-Boas

Tottenham are considering other options up front after Emmanuel Adebayor's financial stipulations threatened to derail his move from Manchester City, boss Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed.

Goal.com exclusively revealed on Wednesday that the Togolese's desire "to punish" his parent club by demanding all £4 million of the two sides' agreed transfer fee could put an end to his permanent switch to White Hart Lane.

And, speaking to the media after Spurs' return from their tour of USA, Villas-Boas confirmed that his side were "looking at different options" as a result.

"Obviously there was an interest in Ade but we have a need first for Jermain [Defoe] to get back from his personal tragedy for the team to have further options in the striker position," said the 34-year-old, referring to the recent death of the forward's cousin.

The Tottenham manager also praised Gareth Bale, who had been at the centre of controversy while Stateside over first his withdrawal from Team GB's Olympic squad and then a row over a tackle by Liverpool's Charlie Adam.

Villas-Boas enthused: "He's an unbelievable talent.

"As a manager you are trying to make sure you get the most of him out of him he's a tremendous physical athlete, of course, but one with fantastic football talent."

The ex-Chelsea boss went on to declare that, once his continuing efforts to bolster the squad are complete, the aim in 2012-13 will be to challenge for trophies - including, potentially, the Premier League.

"We are still building a team. The team can improve and we are looking to improve it," he continued.

"This is obviously not the final product and as we go through August we have to get the right perspective as to where we can improve and where we will arrive.

"The natural progression for our team will be to fight for titles and this is what we want this year.

"Obviously the Premier League is the most difficult one. It's not impossible and it's a challenge we accepted in the beginning [when I was hired] so we will have to see how we can take on that responsibility."