Wages have proved to be a stumbling block with Adebayor reportedly on ?170,000 per week while Diarra takes home ?85,000 after tax in Spain.
But Spurs could resolve the dispute by paying the players a fee up front or even paying the clubs an added fee that can be used to subsidise their salary.
Double deal: Lassana Diarra (left) and Emmanuel Adebayor are set for Spurs
The White Hart Lane club are refusing to negotiate on Luka Modric however.
Chelsea had been expected to launch a ?30million offer but Tottenham have yet to receive it and are understood to be ready to reject it in any case.
Modric is believed to be growing increasingly frustrated by chairman Daniel Levy's stance, but remains committed to playing for Spurs and is expected to be named in the team to play Manchester United on Monday.
Up in the air: Chelsea are yet to make a third bid for Luka Modric
While Harry Redknapp has made it clear he is open to a deal at the right price, Levy is holding his line.
With 27 players over 21 in their squad and only 25 eligible under Premier League rules, the pressure is on to sell players.
Stoke still hope they might be able to do a deal for Wilson Palacios and would also go for Peter Crouch or Jermaine Jenas at the right price.
Exit? Niko Kranjcar could be allowed to leave Tottenham
Spurs want to sell Alan Hutton, S?bastien Bassong and David Bentley but need to reduce their asking price if they are to generate interest.
Niko Kranjcar, a target for Sunderland, is another who could go, even with the current problems with injury in midfield.
?CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAMEQPR and Villa chase West Ham's ?7m Parker as stadium row sinks SpursCrouch set for last game at Spurs as Redknapp closes on AdebayorAll the latest Tottenham news, features and opinion
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail