Pep Wants Eto'o Out

[robaldo]

MADRID, Aug 11 (Reuters) - African Player of the Year Samuel Eto'o says he is determined to move from Real Mallorca to Barcelona and has attacked Real Madrid for trying to scupper the proposed deal.
In a letter published in the Sport newspaper on Wednesday, Eto'o, who is co-owned by Real Mallorca and Real Madrid, assured Barcelona fans that he would be joining in the near future.


'Today I feel like a Barcelona player,' said the 23-year-old Cameroon striker. 'For reasons that have nothing to do with me the deal has been delayed for a few days, but don't worry because joining Barca is still my overwhelming desire.'

Barcelona are reported to have offered 22 million euros ($27.01 million) for the striker, but Real Madrid have yet to decide whether to accept a 50 percent share of the fee or to exercise their option to buy out the player's contract in full.

Madrid-based sports papers Marca and AS have both reported that Real are keen to use Eto'o as part of a deal to sign Liverpool striker Michael Owen.

But Eto'o said he had no intention of returning to the Bernabeu and accused the club of trying to prevent him joining arch-rivals Barcelona.

'For some time I have wanted to wear the Barcelona shirt and help them in their pre-season preparations,' he said. 'Up until now that hasn't been possible because of the continual obstacles that have been placed in my path by a club that you all know well, a club that I don't want to return to because they never showed any faith in me and are now blocking my future progress.'

Real are reported to have until Friday to settle on their course of action.

'There is still time to decide if we will use our option on the player,' Real sporting director Emilio Butragueno was quoted as saying by Sport.

'We are thinking over what to do, but whatever decision we make it will be the best one for Real Madrid.'

[craigy]

Samuel Eto'o done well in his debut against Racing Santander i think he is a really classy player and hope he comes to one of the clubs i support either Bolton or Rangers but probably won't go to rangers cause their in so much debt.

[ityq]

So, what's your view on Eto'o, I know it's too early to judge him but after watching the match against Celtic, he doesn't looks like he's gonna score a goal. He looks more like a midfielder to me in the match.

[The Rule]

He played upfront on his own last night, which may not suit him. IMO he'd be better off with Savi behind hiM, Guily on the right and Ronnie on the left.

I'd start Larsson ahead of him.

[Barcelona1899]

Originally posted by ityq
So, what's your view on Eto'o, I know it's too early to judge him but after watching the match against Celtic, he doesn't looks like he's gonna score a goal. He looks more like a midfielder to me in the match.

He's been played out of position a couple of times (bar the match against Atleti which I won't see until tonight). Rijkaard played him on the left against Celtic with Ronaldinho up front. They should have swapped positions. Also, in the previous matches he was played up front, but Larsson was played out on the left when again the players should have been swapped. I think it's too early to judge him. I think he needs more matches and those matches need to be up top and not out on the left. He was expensive no matter what though and I preferred that we'd kept Saviola all along. Then again I would have handled our summer transfers differently.

Originally posted by The Rule

I'd start Larsson ahead of him.

As would I. Larsson has been twice as good and very impressive. Looks the bargain of the century compared to Eto'o.

[Morrison]

Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard has hinted he is growing tired of Samuel Eto'o's continued demands for an improved contract.

The Cameroon hit-man enjoyed an outstanding first season at Camp Nou, with his 24 goals helping to fire Barca to their first domestic title in six years.

However, Eto'o has subsequently made noises about feeling undervalued, like team-mate Victor Valdes, and is a multi-million pound target for Chelsea.

Rijkaard feels the former Real Madrid star is making waves unnecessarily and should be happy and settled at Camp Nou following his spectacular showing last term.

Indeed, he warned he would be prepared to offload any players who placed financial concerns ahead of commitment to the club.

"I'm not quite sure what Samuel is asking for," Rijkaard stated.

"I like for players at Barcelona to feel happy.

"If a player is not happy and another club will pay him more then it's better that he goes."

The African's agent Jose Maria Mesalles has confirmed that Chelsea are indeed on the trail of his client, and claimed Manchester United were also monitoring his situation.

However, Mesalles hinted any differences with Barca would be resolved, and expects Eto'o to stay put this summer.

"Chelsea and Manchester have been interested in Eto'o for many months," he said. "

"I am sure he will stay in Spain, but he would be a success in any league and England is one of the most attractive."

With Chelsea circling, though, Barca are understood to have already started eyeing possible replacements should Eto'o move on, and Sevilla star Julio Baptista is understood to top their list.

The Brazilian star, who has been converted from a midfielder to a striker during his time at Sevilla, has notched fifty goals in his first two seasons in Spain.

That form has not only alerted Barca, but also arch rivals Real Madrid who are keen to have him at the Santiago Bernabeu next term.

The player himself - known as 'The Beast' - admits he is flattered to be linked with Spain's two biggest clubs and concedes it would be hard to turn down either should they come knocking.

"I don't think the fans would like it, but if a team comes along and shows a lot of interest and is willing to spend a lot of money on me, it's something that Sevilla and I must think about because it would be important for me and for the club," he stated.

"I don't have preferences (between Barcelona and Real Madrid).

"If someone comes in for me then I'm sure my agent will choose the best option for me.

"They are two clubs with a lot of history, very big clubs, and if there was anything serious my agent would choose."

[azzurri]

Samuel Eto'o insists the signing of Thierry Henry would not force him to leave Barcelona, after revealing he snubbed a move to Chelsea as he is not a fan of Jose Mourinho.

The Cameroon international was a summer target for the Premiership champions, who were prepared to line Barca's pockets handsomely to land Eto'o.

But the striker was not interested in moving to Stamford Bridge, citing several reasons for his decision to shun Chelsea's overtures.

Among the factors in declining The Blues' offer was his lack of admiration for the way Mourinho conducts himself, although he did not rule out working with the Chelsea boss in the future.

"I stay at Barcelona because I still feel at ease in that club and I know that league," Eto'o told L'Equipe. "I built myself here.

"Beyond the millions I could have earned at Chelsea, I would have to discover a new culture and force my family to adapt to a new life. That was complex.

"Moreover, Mourinho has a way of talking that is not necessarily pleasant. I told him that to his face in the tunnel last season in the Champions League return match at Chelsea.

"But Mourinho can become my coach one day."

There have been rumours that Eto'o's place in the Barca team could be under threat next season, with the Catalan giants purportedly hoping to sign Arsenal captain Henry.

The France international's arrival at Camp Nou would provide fierce competition for Eto'o but it is not something that would perturb him.

He added: "I don't care if Thierry Henry could come to Barca, or if [Diego] Maradona would make his comeback here.

"If Henry comes it is nice for him. I am here to play. To me that doesn't change anything.

"I am here to play and as long as I will be here, I will play.

"Do you think Thierry Henry could make me leave? Henry could also come here and be on the bench. Do you think it would be logical that I would stay on the bench?"

[Muscolino18]

He's right though..Jose speaks down to everyone, although it's usually pretty funny and he's often got reason to be high and mighty - if I was the one spoken down to, I wouldn't like it.

[Jager]

This coming from Eto means? Eto shouldn't talk after what he did to Wome.

[hanuma]

eto'o is a loud mouthed fool.

at least jose has tactical reasons for being a tosser to everyone.

this guy is just a big headed wazz.

[robaldo]

id have eto in my team anyday

[hanuma]

ditto.

[Roo]

Originally Posted by Jager

This coming from Eto means? Eto shouldn't talk after what he did to Wome.

What did he do to Wome?

[Jager]

Blamed him for Cameroon not qaulifying after HE refused to take the penalty.

I don't want ETO on my team, thanks. Obagol for me, he might not be as talented, but he is a good person.

[CantonaStillGod]

Originally Posted by Jager

Blamed him for Cameroon not qaulifying after HE refused to take the penalty.

I don't want ETO on my team, thanks. Obagol for me, he might not be as talented, but he is a good person.

So what? West Ham claim they hate David Beckham but they'd have had him for ten years in his prime.