Barcelona forward and Cameroonian international Samuel Eto'o (27), who can leave the club this summer and has the permission from Barcelona to talk with other clubs, reported back for training yesterday (read more here).
During a meeting between Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain, Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola and Eto'o, the player was personally informed about the intention of the club to let him go this summer.
Eto'o received the official authorization to start negotiating with interested clubs. Until he has found a new club, he will be able to participate in the first team training sessions.
Barcelona officials had this week been repeating the message that the club doesn't count on Eto'o for next season. Barcelona president said Monday to Catalan radio station Catalunya Ràdio: "Guardiola has already said it: if Eto'o can find a new challenge at another club, the better. We nevertheles didn't receive a serious offer. If he stays, we'll try to get him back for the team."
On Wednesday, Laporta said at a press conference that he wants Eto'o to leave through the front door: "When Eto'o returns we'll discuss together which options there are for him to leave. We have a very good personal and professional relationship with Eto'o and his agent. We'll do what's best for the club and for the player. I want him to leave with all honours, just like Ronaldinho did."
Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain said at a press conference on Wednesday that the club won't buy another forward before Eto'o leaves: "His exit is a condition for the transfer of another striker. We wouldn't like to have four centre forwards in the squad. A lot of clubs have shown interest in Eto'o, but none of them have made a concrete offer so far. We hope he'll find a deal with a club he likes and then we'll negociate with that club."
Eto'o was last week in the United States, where he repeated at a press gathering and in an interview with American press agency Associated Press that he is calm about the whole situation because he has still a contract until 2010.
Read more:
Eto'o will leave
First day for Eto'o, Alves and Keita
Why was Eto'o yesterday in Uzbekistan?
Sunday, 20 July 2008
Eto'o personally informed about exit plans
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8 comments:
Even with a team filled with stars, Ronaldinho, Deco, Puyol, Messi, etc. Eto'o's been my personal favorite for quite a few years now. That's why it's a bittersweet feeling to see him go. Although I know his departure is in the best interest of the club (and my allegiance will always be with the club) I can't help but feel a profound sadness inside to see Eto'o leave. Love him or hate him, the contributions he's made during his tenure with the club speak for themselves. The numbers will bear that fact.
I will remain a fan of his wherever he winds up and I wish him continued success and an injury free rest of his career.
You can call me crazy for saying this but I feel that Eto'o's meant as much to Barcelona as Henry once did for Arsenal. Sure, Eto'o can't match Henry's legendary status, - at least not yet - but his impact at Barcelona is undeniable and he's left an indelible mark in the record book.
"I want him to leave with all honours, just like Ronaldinho did."
Is it just me or is that quote total bullshit? I think we should have treated Ronaldinho with a lot more respect and kept it quiet behind closed doors. Too bad Laporta and the others really love to be in the spotlight.
However I think he should leave since we need another type of striker but he will always be remembered.
We gave Ronaldinho the team of his choice, despite taking a hit on his transfer fee. We allowed him to be part of the process, didn't drag our heels, and made sure that the deal happened fast. We were very grownup.
Last I checked, we weren't the ones claiming injury then dancing the night away, partying and getting fat. The failure of the relationship isn't a one-way street.
Eto'o will likewise receive all consideration and respect. To not back-door a player is one sign of that respect, as well as the meeting which treats the player as a grownup.
All the best Eto'o!!! And Now I think adebayor is the best choice. But pavluchenko would still do. Both of them are quality.
C'mon guys,wake up!!Everybody needs changes.We need changes too.What we've won at the last 2 seasons?? NOTHING!!So we got to change some things,it's better for us ;)..Let him go,barca needs to find other player to replace him and try to win something!!We need for new challanges .Think about it ;(
It's a shame. Still Pep and Txiki has not explain WHY they don't have him in their plans. He wants to stay but is forced out of the club. Disgrace.
This will come back to haunt us one day when Sammy returns to Camp Nou with another team. Mark my words.
Dimissión!
cojonudo i'm 100% your opinion... and i don't understand either why pep and txiki don't want him... it's really a shame and please only let him go if we get drogba! he's the only one among the names being discussed who would be an equivalent replacement for eto'o! if he's not available, please keep him and don't do anything crazy like swap him plus 10 million for adebayor or even worse, berbatov! eto'o is much better than them...
i understand how sentimental this issue is among my fellow cules, but i feel eto'o leaving is the right course of action. the reason this is to be is although eto'o gives fantastic commitment to the club on the pitch he can be a very very very disruptive influence on the dressing room if things don't go his way and pep knows that a united calm happy dressing room improves things on a whole he should know he was a top player at this club and worked with some great coaches. another point bein that i echo wat some cules say about not winning i agree for 2 seasons we have not won one trophy and eto'os cycle has now finished sadly wat pep wants eto'o clearly don't fit he isnt tall, strong or a force in the air something we lack why have great wing crossers like hleb, alves, messi etc and not have a tall target man who can put a header or two away, the countless times watching barca under rijkaard although 90% a pleasure it was frustrating knowing that opposition teams no that we dont have a tall heading option so they cud camp their back four on the edge of the box letting us hit pass after pass sideways knowing we aint gotta a plan b. drogba would be a fantastic addition so to trezeguet i dnt understand why age is such an issue look 2 our great rivals they sined van nistelrooy at 30? and look at the season he had we need a proven player with a great track record drogba and trezeguet fit this bill perfectly although personally i wud prefer drogba as he is more aggressive and would tear liga defences apart a strikeforce of him an henry would be frightening the pace and finesse of henry and the strength and power of droba we shud lodge a €25m euro bid for him and leave it to chelsea 2 decide what will make that easier is if drogba wants out and specifies barca like hleb/alves did that would make things easier. anyways my fellow cules sorry for this long post just have so much love for this club even thopugh im an englishman! just goes to show just how much barca are loved, supported and admired the world throughout. VISCA EL BARCA I VISCA EL CATALUNYA!!!!!!!!!!!!! CATLUNYA TRIOMPHANT!TORNARA SERICA PLENA, ENDARERA AGUESTA GENT, TAN UFANA I TAN SUPERBA!
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