After the storm created at the start of the week with Mesalles' press conference, in which Samu's agent made public the differences between the player and Barca, the directors of Barca and City continue to seek a formula for an accord to comply with the demands of the Cameroon and satisfy both clubs.
Mark Hughes, City's manager, already announced that they are disposed to be 'patient' until negotiations between Barca and City re-float (?) Hughes considers it worth waiting if at the end he can get a player of the quality of the Barca number 9. Besides, he's conscious that Milan are waiting in the wings to see if the situation clears in case they have a chance of signing him.
The City bosses are in contact with those of Barca to adjust the figures/details of the transfer. Barca has lowered it's economic demands, which to start with were some 30 million euros, and expect City to improve their offer in order to satisfy Eto's loyalty fee and effect the transfer.
The tense situation between Samu and Barca, with the statement of Et'o that he would complete his contract and the later offer of a 2-season contract, is holding up the resolution of the negotiations. The player finds himself awaiting events once his manager (agent) has met City and closed the contract details, in case that the 3 parties reach an accord. The Cameroon frontman will sign for 5 seasons and this new contract is reported at 10M euros net pa.
Barca, having taken the decision to sell Eto'o, are conscious that they need to carry out the transfer this summer in order to get some money, as next 30th June he can go to any club free of charge. Therefore they are prepared to negotiate a revised price for a player of Samu's quality, but within certain limits. In their favour is the fact that the owners of City are determined to turn their team into the new 'Chelsea' (aarrrggghhhh) and therefore are doing the maximum they can to sign Eto'o and the argentine Carlos Tevez. The want stars of the first order for their 'project'.
