ROME (AFP) - Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor's transfer to AC Milan has been shelved following notification from the London club, La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper reported Saturday.

"For the moment we don't intend to open negotiations for the sale of Emmanuel Adebayor," La Gazzetta quoted a message from Arsenal to AC Milan as saying, thus putting a freeze on the move and turning Milanese minds to Chelsea's Didier Drogba.

However, the 2007 Champions League winners are reported to be happy to play a waiting game until Arsenal have lined up a replacement for the Togo striker.

Blackburn's Paraguayan centre-forward Roque Santa Cruz is thought to be the player Arsene Wenger would like to replace Adebayor, having impressed in his first season in England with Blackburn Rovers, for whom he scored 23 goals in all competitions.

Adebayor's agent Stephane Courbis told Radio Radio TV that his client was keen to make the move to San Siro, but that ultimately the decision would be made by the two clubs.

"Adebayor is happy at Arsenal, but when a footballer receives an offer from a team such as Milan it is difficult to say no," said Courbis.

"However, it is difficult to say whether he will play for Milan (next season). I know they have contacted Arsenal and it is now up to the English club.

"Milan are a big club, amongst the biggest in the world and when a team like this wants to buy you, you have give it some thought."

Should the move for Adebayor break down, the newspaper believes Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani is likely to make an approach for Drogba.

Milan and Italy fullback Massimo Oddo will be happy whoever joins, telling the paper: "Drogba or Adebayor. It is difficult to chose between the pair. We're talking of two excellent players and signing one of them would represent a great addition."