Eto'No

[marcus50bucks]

Liverpool line up Samuel Eto'o on one-year deal... as Mario Balotelli back-up plan

Aug 22, 2014 21:30 By John Cross

The Cameroonian veteran has already taken a medical for the Reds, but may not be needed if the Reds tie up a deal for Balotelli

Brendan Rodgers has lined up an amazing deal to sign Samuel Eto'o - in case the Mario Balotelli deal falls through.

Former Chelsea striker Eto'o, 33, underwent a medical in Paris on Friday and is hoping to fly to Liverpool this weekend to complete the move But Mirror Sport can reveal that Liverpool have taken the extraordinary step of putting Eto'o through a medical because of lingering doubts about bad boy Balotelli.

Kop boss Rodgers wants to talk face-to-face with Balotelli before completing the £16m deal and that is why Eto'o has been put on standby.

Rodgers could end up signing both strikers but it is more likely that only one will move to Anfield and the Eto'o back-up plan is a highly unusual step.

Liverpool have offered Eto'o a one-year contract and the Cameroon striker would rather move to Anfield than go to Everton, Ajax, Inter Milan and Queens Park Rangers.

Eto'o is a free agent after his contract with Chelsea expired and was keen to stay in the Premier League with a club in the Champions League. Everton boss Roberto Martinez also made an offer but Eto'o is desperate to join a club in the Champions League.

Balotelli is still Liverpool's priority but the bizarre parallel deal for Eto'o highlights there are still concerns about the ex-Manchester City striker's behaviour on and off the pitch.

Former Barcelona and Inter Milan star Eto'o is keen to stay in England to try and prove Jose Mourinho wrong after the Chelsea boss questioned his age last season.

That enraged Eto'o and is why he decided to quit Stamford Bridge rather than listen to any offers to stay at Chelsea. And Eto'o has Mourinho and Chelsea in his sights.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-line-up-samuel-etoo-4091917

[fah-q]

Buy him just to play against Chelsea and Jose. He'll be fired up for that.

[kingfunk]

We will sign both, there is no way we have given Eto'o a medic because we are "not sure" about Ballotelli, it's bollox. Doubt Eto'o would have excepted having a medical as second fiddle.

[Vermilion]

We will sign both, there is no way we have given Eto'o a medic because we are "not sure" about Ballotelli, it's bollox. Doubt Eto'o would have excepted having a medical as second fiddle.

[topscorer]

We will sign both, there is no way we have given Eto'o a medic because we are "not sure" about Ballotelli, it's bollox. Doubt Eto'o would have excepted having a medical as second fiddle.

That would be awesome.

Have absolutely no idea if it would work or be a complete disaster but if we signed Eto'o and Ballotelli on the same day and having Sturridge as well it would be amazing.

It's going to be so exciting this season, I'll have no idea who is going to play each game or what formation we are going to use. I'll know **** as usual but why watch the same movie over and over if a new brilliant one is being made every week!

Lambert might as well go back to Southampton on loan lol.

[brightred]

Couldn't agree more

[Darkon]

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-ends-interest-samuel-etoo-7664165

Liverpool ends interest in Samuel Eto'o as Balotelli deal looks close to being confirmed

Aug 23, 2014 22:30
By Ian Doyle


Balotelli will return to Merseyside this week to sign a three year contract

Mario Balotelli could become a Liverpool player on Monday – but the Reds have ended their interest in Samuel Eto’o.

Balotelli is on the brink of completing a surprise move to Anfield after a £16million deal was thrashed out with AC Milan last week.

The 24-year-old striker, who was at Melwood on Friday to undergo a medical, flew back to Italy on Saturday night.

Balotelli will return to Merseyside on Monday to put pen to paper on an initial three-year contract having agreed to take a pay cut to realise his desire of a return to the Premier League.

And assuming no issues are discovered, in the coming days the Italy international will become Brendan Rodgers’ ninth signing of a busy summer transfer window.

The Reds boss, though, will not follow up interest in Cameroon veteran Eto’o.

The 33-year-old free agent was an option for Liverpool as they sought a striker to bolster their forward line following the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona.

But with Balotelli close to being confirmed, Eto’o is no longer required.

Meanwhile, Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raiola, admits the striker is now facing his last chance to forge a career at a leading club.

“Mario played well for six or seven months, giving a decisive push for them to enter the Champions League,” said Raiola.

“But then you could see he is not ready to be a leader.

“Will he ever be a leader? It’s not mandatory that every player has to be a leader.

“I sought out for him a team where he can be an important element without being asked to be a leader. Liverpool have Steven Gerrard. There Mario will be protected and can give his best.

“Now it’s up to him. Another flop is inadvisable... Not everyone is born to be a leader and a good striker is not always a leader either.

“Mario needs to get this pressure off his shoulders. He must feel free to score goals and that’s it.”

Even if his move is completed tomorrow, Balotelli will be ineligible to face his former club Manchester City at the Etihad later in the evening.

[Boogs]

Everton in talks with Samuel Eto'o over sensational move to Goodison Park

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/everton-talks-samuel-etoo-over-4096646#ixzz3BHn8IOFM

[inijjer]

[tsb]

Lol

[dom9]

Why are transfer deals "thrashed out"? Rather than, say, negotiated.

[baronvonskidmark]

Why are transfer deals "thrashed out"? Rather than, say, negotiated.

Probably so they can be 'inked' before the window 'slams shut'.

[kev776]

Probably so they can be 'inked' before the window 'slams shut'.

The buying club must be first "locked in a battle" with other interested clubs before "swooping" in for the kill.

[baronvonskidmark]

The buying club must be first "locked in a battle" with other interested clubs before "swooping" in for the kill.

But only if they've got enough 'mega-bucks' in their 'war chest'.

[G]

Signing for Everton