Samuel Eto'o gives Manchester City hope as Barcelona chief admits the striker is not taking his calls
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:33 AM on 09th July 2009
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Exasperated Barcelona president Joan Laporta admits he can't get hold of Manchester City target Samuel Eto'o.
Hanging on the telephone: Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o
The European champions are desperate to resolve the Cameroon striker's future, but Eto'o is not answering Laporta's calls.
The 28-year-old's contract at the Nou Camp runs out next year and Barca would prefer to sell him to City now rather than lose him for nothing next summer.
City are understood to have offered £25m for Eto'o and would make him the best paid player in the world on £180,000 a week after tax.
Barcelona have offered him a two-year extension without a pay rise but Eto'o is making both sides wait amid suggestions in Spain that he is hoping Manchester United will enter the race.
Laporta said: 'I have called him a couple of times but he hasn't answered his mobile. I don't know if he has changed the number or whether he's lost it, but I would like to speak to him.'
Barca have also been trying to land Spain striker David Villa from debt-ridden Valencia, who are distracted by a boardroom battle for control of the club.
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'There have been negotiations to find out his availability but we haven't stated a time or money limit,' he said.
'We have made an offer to (Valencia president) Manuel Llorente that is closer to 40m euros (£34.5m) than 50m (£43m).'
Laporta also took a swipe at arch-rivals Real Madrid for their spending spree that has dominated the headlines.
'We make Ballon d'Or winners and others have to buy them. It's fine by me that Real have bought Cristiano Ronaldo but at present Barcelona are the point of reference for everyone," said Laporta.
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'Real have erupted aggressively into the transfer market and distorted reality. We could go into debt like Madrid but it isn't our way of operating.
'We already have a competitive team and all we want to do is to make some prudent investments.'
He said coach Pep Guardiola has asked for reinforcements at full back, centre-back, in midfield and a striker - and he refused to rule out a move for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas
