Goal-hungry Eto´o, Ibrahimovic boost sale price

Samuel Eto’o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic took their combined goals tally to 42 on Sunday to spectacularly boost their sale value if Barcelona and Inter Milan decide to cash in their prize assets in the summer.

Cameroon international Eto’o scored twice as Barcelona crushed Malaga 6-0 to restore their six-point lead in Spain to take his league goals to 25.

Swedish striker Ibrahimovic also grabbed a brace, to take his personal goals collection to 17, as Inter Milan went seven points clear in Italy with a 3-0 win at the San Siro against rock-bottom Reggina.

Reports in Spain have linked Eto’o with a move to AC Milan, but Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola insists the striker has yet to make up his mind.

“The press have given the impression that Eto’o is already out of Barcelona,” said Guardiola. “He doesn’t deserve this. He will decide his future when the time is right for him.”

After striking his two goals on Sunday, the 28-year-old Eto’o, who has been at Barcelona since 2004, preferred to concentrate on this season, rather than next.

“It is one more game gone,” said Eto’o. “I always have a chance of scoring in this team. We just want to push on now and carry on with this form after the international break.”

Ibrahimovic was on target in the 10th and 58th minutes to keep Jose Mourinho’s Inter on target for another Italian title.

But Mourinho is still thinking about how to improve his side for a tilt at European glory rather than mere domestic success.

“To make Inter more competitive, even in Europe, we need some retouching. We have two or three young players with great potential who in two or three years will be great players,” he said.

“We have a group of players with a lot of stability. I like two approaches, one which brings in great players and another which reduces the average age of the team.”

After his star performance, Ibrahimovic, who signed for Inter from Juventus in 2006, hinted that he may be considering a future away from the San Siro.

“I’m totally focussed on winning the title but as for next season, we’ll see,” he said. “I’m very happy to be at Inter but next year we’ll see.”

Mourinho reacted by suggesting that Inter would survive without the 27-year-old Swede.

“Ibrahimovic is a great player but no player is bigger than a club. He has become very important to Inter but certain clubs are bigger than any player or coach,” said Mourinho.