Source: SKY_Sports
City end Eto'o interest
Manchester City have called time on their bid to sign Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o.
The freespending Eastlands outfit had been engaged in negotiations to land the coveted Barca front-man, who is also thought to be on the wish-list of Manchester United and AC Milan.
Barcelona are keen to tie-down the Cameroon international, who scored 36 goals last season, to a new two-year contract but have struggled to get in contact with either the player or his representatives.
It is thought City were prepared to offer Eto'o £200,000-a-week to move to Manchester, but it is understand he was also seeking some kind of payment from Barcelona to quit Camp Nou.
The deal quickly became mired in a contractual dispute between Eto'o and the Catalan outfit.
Eto'o, who is about to embark on the last year of his contract at Barca, felt he should receive a significant portion of the £18million City were willing to pay as he would be entitled to leave for nothing next summer.
Blues boss Mark Hughes initially signalled his intention to wait for Eto'o to resolve the wrangle.
Yet, as the week has dragged on, the argument has just got more confusing and complicated.
After weighing up their options City have decided to withdraw the proposal they had drawn up for Barcelona and the player.
Club CEO, Garry Cook, told the club's official website: "Samuel Eto'o is undoubtedly a fine footballer but the circumstances surrounding him were such that the deal could not be completed.
"We now feel the time is right to pursue other avenues and we have a clear and strategic transfer plan, which we continue to follow."
