Barcelona president leaves door open to Eto´o departure

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has left the door open for the departure of Samuel Eto’o, saying Wednesday that the future of the Cameroon striker at the Spanish champions would depend on the transfer market.

“The football market is very dynamic and maybe there could be a surprise because he is a player who is very much in demand,” he said.

Eto’o, the top scorer for Barcelona in the league this season with 30 goals, is under contract with the Catalan side until 2010 and “it would be great if he finished his career at Barcelona,” he added.

The 28-year-old has reportedly sparked interest from English Premier League club Manchester City and French side Lyon and Italian side Inter Milan.

Catalan radio RAC1 reported Tuesday that Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has told Eto’o that he will not be counting on him next year.

But it is unlikely that Barcelona will let him go unless they sign a replacement for the striker.

Spanish media have tipped Valencia’s David Villa, Atletico Milan’s Diego Forlan and Inter Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic as possible replacements for Eto’o.