Barca pledge to keep Eto'o
13 Aug 2008 - 07:53:44
Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o is set to remain with Barcelona next season, having been a target for several Premier League clubs this summer.
Eto'o had looked almost certain to exit the Camp Nou in recent weeks, but new Barca head coach Josep Guardiola is now prepared to give the pacy frontman another chance to impress.
"I know that I said on my first day that I did not count on him, but I also said that I would treat him like any other player," Guardiola told reporters.
"His behaviour and attitude in Scotland and the United States have made me decide that he will remain with us. As well as that, he is a player with immense talent.
"The negotiations to sign a number nine were stopped some weeks ago following a decision by me and (sporting director) Txiki Begiristain.
"Before bringing players in you must let players go and as everything was going well, I decided that it was not necessary to sign anybody and everything would remain the same."
Eto'o had been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, with Italian giants AC Milan and Internazionale also reported to be interested in the 27-year-old.