Barce hopes to lure Reds' star over with exchange deal

• limpper

  14 Jun 09, 13:41

  Barcelona offer Eto'o to Liverpool for Mascherano

  Barcelona have offered Samuel Eto'o to Liverpool in an exchange for Javier Mascherano.

  The Mirror says Eto’o, 28, is one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe after failing to agree a new deal at the Nou Camp.

  Barca believe offering him to Liverpool for unsettled Mascherano could help to smooth a deal. Reds boss Rafa Benitez insisted earlier this week that he wasn’t willing to sell his Argentine defensive midfielder to Barca “at any price” – even £50million.

  But Mascherano’s agent, Walter Tamer, also spoke this week about Mascherano’s “dream” of playing for the Champions League winners.

  And Barca are also well aware of Liverpool’s financial woes as well as their lack of depth in attack. Eto’o has just a year left on his current deal.

• limpper

  14 Jun 09, 20:04

  Family bother will force Mascherano out of Liverpool

  Javier Mascherano may be forced to ask away from Liverpool.

  The News of the World says in the latest shattering transfer blow to manager Rafa Benitez, the Argentina skipper is considering leaving because his pregnant wife Fernanda has been unable to settle on Merseyside.

  She returned to South America with the couple's daughter Lola before the end of last season. And although the 25-year-old midfielder is professionally happy at Anfield, the personal despair at being apart from his family means he feels he has no option but to consider moving on.

  He thinks it will be easier for his wife to live in a Spanish-speaking country.

  A Kop source said: "The truth is Javier loves Liverpool and is especially thankful to Rafa for everything he has done for his career in England. But he's facing a huge dilemma because he feels his family might be more settled in Spain. Nothing is certain, but it's true it's a big problem for the club."

• limpper

  14 Jun 09, 20:11

  Eto'o tells Man Utd, Man City: £200,000-a-week to move to England

  Barcelona ace Samuel Eto'o wants £200,000-a-week to join Manchester City.

  The News of the World says the Cameroon star has asked Manchester City to pay him an astonishing ONE MILLION Euros a MONTH - after tax - as he seeks to cash in on football's money-mad summer.

  At 12million Euros a year, cash in hand, that will cost City and boss Mark Hughes a staggering £200,000 a week. At current exchange rates, a five-year contract will set Sheikh Mansour back £51m.

  Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan are among the other clubs that have inquired about the striker's services - and all have been quoted the same wages.

  Eto'o has long been nick-named "the banker" by his Cameroon teammates for the way he has set himself up financially since joining Real Madrid as a teenager.

• Patrik

  14 Jun 09, 20:17

  One of the most sought-after strikers?

  hahahaha,no thanks.