The Barcelona striker has been haggling over a move to
Manchester City for nearly six weeks and has asked for £200,000 a
week to quit the Nou Camp.
He also wants a £12million slice of the £25m transfer fee, which
has prevented the deal from going through as the European champions
stand firm. But the Cameroon international would waive such a lump
sum if Sir Alex Ferguson came in for him. Fergie could still be in
for a striker - despite the capture of Michael Owen - and only a
club of United's stature will prise Eto'o away from Spain.
He would accept a cut-price £150,000-a-week deal that would
still make him the top earner at Old Trafford instead of the
possibility of mid-table football at Eastlands.
One source close to the player said: "Samuel has not been
convinced by a move to a mid-table side in the Premier League and
neither will he sign a new deal at Barca."
Barcelona have offered the player a two-year extension on his
current £100,000- a-week deal. But Eto'o, 28, could play out his
final year at Barcelona and be free to negotiate a lucrative
swansong at the end of next season.
Barcelona will go ahead with their plans to sign David Villa
this week regardless of Eto'o digging his heels in. Coach Pep
Guardiola has told sporting director Txiki Begiristain that he
would have no problem having both Eto'o and Villa in the same
team.
If Valencia turn down Barca's £40m offer for Villa, they will
turn their attention to Diego Forlan. The Atletico Madrid striker
has a £33m buyout clause, although Barca believe they could get him
for closer to £30m.
