Released Crystal Palace striker Emmanuel Adebayor remains a free agent after being turned down by Lyon.

Lyon pulled out of a deal because Adebayor wanted to play in the African Cup of Nations in January.

It would mean Adebayor would have to miss at least one month of the season.

In a statement posted on Lyon's club website, it read: “After the injury to Alexandre Lacazette, the club looked into the arrival of at least one new striker.

“The arrival of the young prospect Jean-Philippe Mateta fits perfectly with this strategy while the Togo international, who would not be eligible for the first stage of the Champions League, confirmed he wishes to play in the African Nations Cup in early 2017 which would mean an absence of a month or two."