Real outbid Barca for Eto'o

Barca submitted a ‚é¼15 million bid earlier in the week and claimed it was their final offer for the African hit-man.

However, Real - who still own half the player's rights - are desperate to try and ensure Eto'o does not end up at their arch rivals and are attempting to scupper the deal.

It has been reported that a clause in Eto'o's contract gives Real first option on the player if they equal the highest offer Mallorca receive.

However, Mallorca supremo Alemany insists Los Merengues have now made a formal bid for the striker that was 'clearly superior to that of Barcelona'.

If Real do complete a deal for Eto'o it looks certain that they will either sell the player or loan him out as they already have three non-EU players in their squad - Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Walter Samuel.

Alemany added that Eto'o's future is still far from being resolved but insisted the player would not be leaving the club on the cheap.

"I want to remember two things, that are important facts," he stated.

"What Mallorca paid for Eto'o was a very high figure, and in a depressed market where very elevated figures are bandied around for outstanding players, Eto'o is a player with a high cost.

"He will leave here if we receive sufficient funds, satisfactory both for the club and the player.

"We took a very risky gamble at the time, and his standing has risen a lot.

"Eto'o will go only if it is to the club's satisfaction."