Rafael Benitez is ready to launch an £18m bid
to bring Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o to Anfield, according to
reports in Spain.
Samuel Eto'o has been
in great goalscoring form.
The Barcelona striker has been in top form this season, netting
25 goals from 27 games, but his future has been the subject of
speculation after it was revealed that his contract only has one
year left on it.
Liverpool could swoop for a player whose price tag is increasing
by the game, but may face competition from both Milan clubs who
have shown an interest in the striker in the past.
A source close to Eto'o said in The Sun: "Benitez likes
Samuel a lot. Everything is possible for this summer. It will
depend on Barcelona's results as well if they decide to buy David
Villa.
"Eto'o is not a player to sit on the bench."
Despite impressing in his time at the Nou Camp and landing two
La Liga titles as well as a Champions League trophy, Eto'o's time
at Barcelona has been chequered and he has faced an uncertain
future with new coach Pep Guardiola listening to offers last
summer.
Considered to be the source of dressing room discontent,
Barcelona may now choose to cash in on Eto'o before the striker can
leave for free in 2010, although the player has distanced himself
from any transfer talk.
When asked about a potential move to Inter Milan this weekend,
he replied: "I do not know anything about Inter.
"I just lost an important match (against Togo) and I am not here
to talk about my future, because I'm happy at Barcelona."