Liverpool's Manager, Rafa Benitez may have quietly backed down on a move to sign highly rated Barcelona star, Samuel Eto'o.
Strong indications, suggest that Liverpool have dropped out of the race to obtain Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o after deciding the strike ace is beyond their reach. For weeks, Liverpool have been at the forefront of the Eto'o bid and tabled a cash offer for the forward who has been highly sought after in Europe. The offer received no tangible response from Barcelona.
News of this cash offer echoed across Europe and attracted Italian giants, AC Milan, who are also interested in the Barca marksman. This made Milan swing into action in response to the English move, digging in through their official, Galliani in the famed Mission Impossible adventure. Barcelona classified Galliani's bid method as a distraction.
Liverpool have been more visible than other Premiership teams in their attempts to win over the Cameroonian from Cam Nou. Other Premiership clubs intrested in Eto'o are Manchester United and Arsenal. AC Milan and InterMilan are representing interests from the Italian angle.
Liverpool's decision to back down may be influenced by the mindset which is gaining ground at Camp Nou to tighten its hold on players it considers pre-requisites to its success next season, and attempts are being made to solidfy the squad especially after the shocking result in the weekend La Liga encounter with Espanyol lent more concrete on the need to have a more secure team.
A big and unlikely IF hangs on the possibilty of Barcelona even agreeing in the first place to sell their attacking gem.
Other than Barca's organisational drive, Liverpool's exit may also be attributed to cashflow. The lords at Anfield may be too constrained to disburse Eto'o's real worth, which is no doubt ranging upwards from the 50 Million Euro mark.
As proof of this, Liverpool have considered signing Villareal's former Man U player, Diego Forlan as an alternative to Eto'o.
Lyon's French International, Eric Abidal has indicated very strong interest in playing for Barcelona. The enterprising player, who has set his sights outsight the French League for next season, says confidently of the Catalan club:
Barcelona is a club I will be very happy to play for. The Barca management is interested in me and I believe my style of play and role matches the exact player they want to fill that position.
On concerns that his desire to leave Lyon may meet a brickwall, Abidal expresses optimism that all will go well based on his earlier preparations toward that. He states:
I have already told the club president that I want to leave and my decision has been made. I have given three fruitful years to Lyon and at 28, I think it's time to refocus ones career and move on to discover and to experience new grounds. I believe I shall have a smooth transition and the hope that the club president will do everything well and to avoid any problems occuring in the process. My decision to leave Lyon was not influenced but rather a personal decision of mine.
Barcelona are building an all conqureing squad ahead of next season and it will be seen if Abidal features in their plans.
Valencia and AC Mialn have also been mentioned in relation to the French International's next destination.
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Dutch great and coach of Barcelona FC, Frank Rijkaard celeberated his 150th League game against Getafe at the weekend. In all, the gifted tactician has a record of 92 wins, 34 draws and 24 defeats in his first 150 matches as coach of the Catalan giants.
Rijkaard is also likely to exceed his number of wins last season as he already won same number of games as he did a year ago, with two games still outstanding.
In terms of goal scoring , the Coach has not been found wanting as well, creaming up a massive 287 goals in the process, with the dou of Eto'o and Ronaldinho alone accounting for 122 of those goals, representing almost half of the total at 42.51%. Eto'o is highest with 62 goals and Ronaldinho next with 60 goals.
Giuly and Saviola come next with 19 goals each.
In his show of acceptance, Rijkaard, being the spirited sportsman he is, decided to share the spotlight with his entire technical crew. He recognised efforts from the coaches, medics and club delegate, Carlos Naval, deserve equal mention with him,as the results were achieved through collective effort.
Rijkaard also mentioned the likes of Eusebio Sacristán and Juan Carlos Unzué along with his former assistant, Henk ten Cate, now of Ajax, as well as current tink-tank partner, Johan Neeskens.
Barcelona is a club I will be very happy to play for. The Barca management is interested in me and I believe my style of play and role matches the exact player they want to fill that position.