Eto'o press conference scheduled

The agent of Samuel Eto'o is scheduled to hold a press conference tomorrow to announce details on the strikers future. The latest media reports however, suggest that Eto'o is likely to turn down the reported £25 million bid with it being suggested that it would take a 180 degree turnaround for Eto'o to now join us.

The phrase '180 degree turnaround' is quite ambiguous though and I guess doesn't necessarily rule out Eto'o leaving Barcelona. There is the possibility that his team are very aware that Barcelona would like to sell him at this price (given he could walk for free this time next year) and they are trying to extract a 'golden handshake' payment.

Whilst Inter have been mentioned in the mix, I doubt they could match our offer (in financial terms) - particularly after failing to offload Zlatan Ibrahimovich, so signs do point at this stage to him running down his contract.

There will of course be a clearer indication this time tomorrow.

UPDATE (23:50)

timesonline reports that the deal could be dead in the water over the player's demands for upto half of the £25 million transfer fee. Excessive that may be but Eto'o is clearly in a huge position of strength here. A club desperate to secure him, a club desperate to sell, and him in the middle knowing a year from now he can pocket a signing on fee should he run his contract down.

The hope is that Barca come to an agreement with him regarding a payment which enables the transfer to go through.