Eto’o signs Inter Milan deal - agent
Barcelona striker Samuel Etoo has agreed terms on his transfer from Barcelona to Inter Milan, the Cameroon international stars agent Jose Maria Mesalles said on Thursday.
“The only problem is his loyalty bonus with Barcelona,” said Mesalles.
Mesalles emerged from two hours of talks with Inter representatives to tell the waiting press that a deal had been agreed, which was later confirmed by Inters transfer specialist Marco Branca.
“It was a really long negotiation but it was always conducted with respect and for that I have to thank Inter,” said Mesalles.
Etoo is due to arrive in Milan on either Monday or Tuesday to put pen to paper.
As well as Etoo, the Catalans would pay the Italians 50 million euros and allow Belarusian winger Alexander Hleb to go on a season-loan to the San Siro.
The agent spent three days negotiating with Inter before a deal was reached which will see Etoo switch from Barcelona while Inters Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic joins the Spanish champions.
The 28-year-old Etoo, who joined the Catalan side in 2004, has a year left in his contract with Barcelona.
According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Etoo will sign a five-year deal worth between 10-10.5 million euros a year.
Inter president Massimo Moratti told the clubs website that the transfer was nearly finalised and said he would not comment more until it has been completed.
He was the clubs top scorer in the Spanish league last season, with 30 goals.
“Thats completely untrue, Ive spoken with Mourinho on the telephone and he has been a part of this process all along,” said Moratti.
But Moratti moved to deny speculation in the Italian press that Inter coach Jose Mourinho doesnt want the Cameroon star at the club.
“Obviously the coach made it clear he didnt believe the Swedish striker could go to another club but he is a big admirer of Etoo and he is very satisfied and happy about this possibility, this exchange.”
“As for the Ibrahimovic question, that was something that he (Mourinho) always knew might happen.
Ibrahimovic was the top scorer in Serie A last season and has been Inters best player since joining the club in 2006 when Juventus were demoted to Serie B for match-fixing.
Since then the club website also revealed that Ibrahimovic, who has injured his wrist, has left the clubs pre-season training camp in the United States and returned to his native Sweden, possibly with the view to finalising his move to Spain.
He has also made it clear that he is not happy at Inters failure to mount a serious Champions League challenge having been knocked out in the second round in each of the last three seasons, by Valencia, Liverpool and then Manchester United.
But while he has often dazzled on the Serie A stage, scoring some spectacular goals, he has been much criticised for failing to produce on the biggest stages, such as the Champions League.
He scored in the 2-1 victory over Arsenal in Paris in 2006 and he opened the scoring in the 2-0 success against United in Rome in May.
Etoo by contrast has twice risen to the occasion on the biggest club stage of all, scoring goals in the Champions League final in both Barcelonas last two triumphs.
Meanwhile, Barcelona striker Thierry Henry said on Thursday he was looking forward to playing alongside Ibrahimovic.
He is the only African player ever to score in two Champions League finals.
Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola had already admitted that it would be better if Etoo left.
“Technically he can keep whatever ball you throw at him,” Henry said. “And what I like about him is his character. For some people it is a bit too much but I dont mind. To be a player like that you have to have it.”
“I feel that it is the best for the team, for the club, but I dont dare say that it is best for Samuel. I am very grateful to Samuel, not for this year but for the five years he has spent here.
“I fully understand that people ask why. He is a wonderful player. Everyone knows there are no football reasons. So why? It is a question of feeling,” Guardiola said earlier this week.
“The coachs job is not to change the personality of players but it is my job to decide who to work with. Its my responsibility and I think we need to change something.”
Sports News