Transfer Rumours - Samuel Eto'o

This one just won't go away.

I've written about Eto'o joining Arsenal before and while there is certainly no smoke without fire one would have thought that any bid for the player would have been linked to the Thierry Henry transfer. But the rumours persist that Arsene Wenger will make a bid of about £20m for a near like for like replacement for Henry.

Given all of the talk from both Milan sides about both Eto'o and Carlos Tevez, I think Eto'o is certainly in play. AC Milan Vice President even went so far as to say Our prime objective is Eto'o, if we can find an economic solution on the Milan website(!).

Eto'o has also been very complimentary about Arsene Wenger in the past while Wenger has identified Eto'o as a player he has attempted to sign in the past.

TRANSFER POSSIBILITY RATING - 2/10

I think Samuel Eto'o will probably leave Barcelona this summer. I dont think the Barcelona executives have forgiven him his comments about Ronaldinho and Frank Rijkaard this past season and see his place as redundant with the arrival of Thierry Henry. That said, his likely destination is not Arsenal for the simple reason that Arsene Wenger believes Robin Van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor to be his starting strike force next season and is looking for a complementary third striker rather than another name. In fact... I think I know who that player is... and he's not being linked with us currently. Here's a hint... he's currently playing in the Fifa Under 20's in Canada. Guesses? More soon.

Transfer Rumours - Tuesday Transfer?

Gooners across the land are today holding their collective breath waiting for confirmation of a "big transfer" involving Barry Silkman, agent for Yakubu and Michael Owen. On Friday, Silkman told Newsnight that he hoped this mysterious transfer "for Arsenal" would be wrapped up by Tuesday.

Silkman's roster of players includes Geremi also but considering the links he has with super-agent Pini Zahavi, this "signing" could actually be anyone... if the signing is actually true.

I note with interest that all and sundry are talking up a move for Samuel Eto'o, including AC Milan, Manchester United and Liverpool. I don't believe the latter two clubs have the financial resources (certainly not considering the current exchange rate with the dollar) to compete at this level for transfer/player but the AC Milan interest does ring true. That said, given the sabre rattling in the press about a complete overhaul of Barcelona given their tepid season one could suggest that these transfer reports (none of them currently including a move to Arsenal... in spite of continued Eto'o banter about his love for the Premier League) may simply be an agent's bargaining ploy. Food for thought. I find the absense of our involvement in Eto'o's paper tittle tattle actually quite revealing considering Arsene Wenger's comments last year about being very close to signing Eto'o from Real Madrid a few years ago.

By while Gooner's sweat on this "transfer" I am today enjoying a lovely day off in the summer sun of a beautiful London day. Having done a little gymwork this morning I got my haircut by my Italian hair stylist and Inter Milan supporter. We obviously have Vieira in common now but it was great to hear the banter about Serie A and in particular the transfer agenda for one Claudio Ranieri at Juventus. He thinks Ranieri is trying to get rid of Trezuguet (with us as the target... but I don't think so) to then bring in Lampard with the fee. Oh, and I hadn't realised that Bayern Munich had signed Toni along with Franck Ribery.

The downside of such a lovely day is that its difficult to get a side out for footy... so we've had to cancel our bottom of the table clash in Islington this evening. Sux.

Transfer Rumours - Samuel Eto'o

The sunday papers are today linking Arsenal with a sensational move for Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o. That's just speculation. But the facts are these. He turns 26 on 10th of March and has 60 scored goals in 90 appearances for the Spanish Champions.

He's also had troubles with both Ronaldinho and his gaffer Frank Rijlaard of late. Eto'o has also long been very vocal about playing in the shadow of the great Brazilian as well as noting a big desire to play football in England. He's also professed a strong desire to play with Theirry Henry (who hasn't) and is a very big fan of Arsene Wenger.

So what to make of this?

From an Arsenal point of view, there is war chest available for Wenger for "the right player". Samuel Eto'o would improve us. That much is clear. A strike force of Henry, Eto'o, Van Persie and Adebayor is better than any in the world. But it would mean the end of Aliadiere, Bendtner, perhaps Julio Baptista.

At 26, Eto'o is the same age as Rosicky was when Wenger brought him to the club and young enough to progress with his football with the Arsenal. He is known for his quick pace and agility on and off the ball and an ability to score equally well with both feet as well as his head. His style of play is characteristically daring and he often runs at defenders and goalkeepers with total confidence in his ability to get the ball past them. Because of his slight frame, Eto'o relies on nimbleness and timing rather than strength to score, and he frequently scores on the first touch after running onto well-placed through balls. Imagine his delight at the service Hleb, Rosicky, Denilson and Fabregas would provide him.

Much has been said about Arsene Wenger building the club with kids but when the right player comes along he has shown a ruthlessness to make the team better. William Gallas is a perfect example of this.

And Samuel Eto'o may be the next.