The Cameroonian international admitted that he was not prepared
to move to Stade Gerland because the salary on offer did not match
what he had asked for.
Despite the, Eto'o did not rule out moving to the French champions
in the future because he would like to live in France and has
friends at the club.
"Lyon did make a big effort but I could not go there and I want to
think their president Jean-Michel Aulas for his interest even
though they could not match what I asked for," he told TF1's
Telefoot programme.
"I have friends in Lyon such Makoun and may be one day I could go
there. For someone from Cameroon like me, to live in France would
be great."
The Uzbeki outfit that wanted Eto'o were prepared to pay him an
increidble sum for a short stay, but Eto'o felt that the move would
have been below him.
"They offered me $25m to spend two or three months there. My head
was spinning because of that offer, but everyone had to understand
that as a Cameroon international I had to aim higher and play for a
big club," he continued.
"That was why I could not accept that offer."
Eto'o was expected to leave Barcelona at the end of last season but
his impressive attitude and form in pre-season convinced coach Pep
Guardiola to keep him at Camp Nou.