Barcelona are finally ready to smooth the path for Samuel Eto’o to join City says the Manchester Evening News tonight. Barcelona President Joan Laporta has indicated he is willing to show flexibility over the compensation wrangle at the heart of the Eto’o saga.
Eto`o - Arrival In Manchester Is Iminent
City have agreed a £25million fee with Barcelona but a bonus clause in Eto’o’s contract which entitles him to compensation if Barca sell him before his contract expires in 12 months’ time is causing a problem to get the deal done and dusted.
Laporta is hopeful that a deal can be done to help Barca finance moves for Valencia striker David Villa – a one-time City target – and Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano. And the president has indicated to sources in Spain that he may be ready to agree a pay-off to Eto’o to allow the move to Manchester to go through – or to renegotiate the transfer fee so that part of City’s £25m offer goes to the striker.
The 28-year-old Cameroon international hit 36 goals for Barca last season, including the opener as they beat United 2-0 in Rome to lift the Champions League trophy two months ago. He was understood to have been reluctant to join City initially, because of their lack of Champions League football next season. But the Blues have the financial backing to make him one of the world’s best-paid footballers, although the club have dismissed suggestions that he would earn £250,000 a week at Eastlands.
Filed under: 1 | Tagged: barcelona, eto`o, joan laporta, man city fc, manchester city fc, samuel eto`o
