Samuel Eto takes a step closer to Manchester City as Barcelona make 37m move for David Villa

25 June 2009 10:53
Barcelona have made a £37million bid for Spain striker David Villa as they prepare for life without Manchester City target Samuel Eto'o. Barca's summer spending budget is only around £25m, meaning they would need to sell Eto'o to fund a move for Villa on top of their other targets. Nou Camp president Joan Laporta would love to strike a new deal with his Cameroon striker, who is out of contract next summer. Unlucky seven: David Villa (right) lines up a volley against the United States, but Spain fell in the Confederations Cup semi-final last night But talks have hit a brick wall, forcing the European champions to try to cash in now rather than let him leave on a free next summer. Reports in Spain say Inter Milan and Manchester United are keen on the28-year-old, but concede City are the only club prepared to pay £30mand meet his huge pay demands. Barca roamer: Manchester City target Samuel Eto'o Sportsmail revealed last week that he would pick up a staggering £320,000 a week at Eastlands, though he has yet to decide on whether to turn his back on Champions League football and head for the Barclays Premier League. Real Madrid have apparently given up on signing Villa after Valencia insisted their 27-year-old Spain star was not for sale, but that has not deterred Barcelona. They maintain an interest in Inter Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and former Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez, but have made Villa their No 1 target. Tevez, 25, wants to stay in England and is close to signing for City, with Chelsea also in the frame.  That's rich, Eto'o: Manchester City target asking for £16m-a-year in pay alone Man City set to pip Chelsea in battle for former United striker TevezRobinho: Tevez capture will guarantee City Champions League footballBirmingham is where the Hart is as Man City loan out England keeper JoeMANCHESTER CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail