Olympique Lyon have been rebuffed in their bid to sign Emmanuel Adebayor.

The AFP is reporting that the Togolese striker has turned down an offer from Lyon in order to represent his country at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

"I refused a contract offered by Lyon in order to represent my country," said the former Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur striker.

"They asked me if I was planning to go to the African Cup of Nations, I quite simply said: 'Yes.' They said: 'Ok, that could be difficult.'

"I responded: 'It is up to you to make your choice but I am obliged to go and defend my nation's colours.'

"There was no reason for me not to go to the African Cup of Nations."

32-year-old Adebayor, who left Crystal Palace in the summer, started and played 89 minutes in Togo's 0-0 opener against the Ivory Coast on Monday.