Eto'o could still join City

Barca striker's agent hits out at Camp Nou club

Last updated: 30th June 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Eto'o could still join City

Eto'o: City target

There are only about six or seven clubs out there who could afford Samuel, but Manchester City is one and they are a serious club.

Josep Maria Mesalles.
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Samuel Eto'o could still become a Manchester City player this summer despite being offered a new two-year deal by Barcelona.

The Cameroon international striker is keen to stay at Camp Nou but his agent, Josep Maria Mesalles, has become angered by the European champions' handling of the situation.

Barca president Joan Laporta admitted on Sunday night that City had made a 'stratospheric offer' to take Eto'o to Eastlands.

Mesalles claims Barca have told him that his client is surplus to requirements despite playing a key role in their treble success last term, and has questioned the motives of their latest contract offer.

Unrealistic

He said: "We have had two meetings with the club and they have told us both times that Samuel is not in their plans for next season.

"I don't know if they made the offer because they want him to stay or because they want to make money.

"They want 30 to 35 million euros from his sale and that is unrealistic - he has one year left on his contract and they are asking for too much, especially in a year when he would play the African Cup of Nations and then the World Cup in the summer."

Mesalles is confident a fee could be agreed with City, who have proved that money is no object in the transfer market, having already shelled out a reported £18million to bring in Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn.

"Samuel is very disappointed with Barcelona," Mesalles continued.

Good option

"If we find out for sure that they don't want him, then we will do our best to find him another club and Manchester City would be a good option.

"There are only about six or seven clubs out there who could afford Samuel, but Manchester City is one and they are a serious club."

Eto'o has won three league titles and two Champions Leagues with Barcelona, and his priority would be to play in Europe's premier club competition next season, Mesalles revealed.

But he claims City's absence from Europe would not deter his client from a move to Eastlands.

"In theory he wants to play in the Champions League, but if Manchester City have an offer accepted, we would be delighted to go there," he said.