Barca deny interest in Eto'o

Barca insist they have received no offers for striker despite reports

By Francisco Acedo   Last updated: 6th January 2009

Barca deny interest in Eto'o

Eto'o: Staying at Barca

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Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o is attracting interest from the likes of Manchester City and Inter according to reports in Spain.

Eto'o has been in scintillating form this season scoring 18 goals in 20 games in all competitions helping to fire Barca 11 points clear at the top of the Primera Division.

Reports in the Catalan press believe that City are ready to launch a bid in the region of 60million Euros (£55million) during the transfer window and are set to offer the player a contract of up to 12million Euros (£11million) a year.

Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan have also been linked with the 27-year-old but the club have been quick to play down any move.

Denied

"We can only study actual offers but it is practically impossible that Samuel will exit the club at the moment," a Barca source said.

The player's agent, Jose Maria Mesalles agreed and insists such reports are to be expected.

"It is normal that big clubs are interested in Samuel," he stated. "But now he is very focused in Barcelona and the success of the team."

The former Mallorca striker sees his current contract with the Catalan giants expire in June 2010 but club president Joan Laporta admits that negotiations have begun on a renewed deal.

"This is a priority for us. The first contact with the player has been positive and we are optimistic," Laporta stated.

The new deal is expected to run until 2013 with an increase in all aspects of the contract.