Eto'o struck off Spurs hit list

Another name has been struck off Tottenham’s list of summer transfer targets, as Real Mallorca have told Glenn Hoddle to forget a swoop for their Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o.

Eto’s agent told PA Sport that Spurs’ approach was snubbed by the Spaniards - and the Londoners are now reported to have turned their attention to Real Madrid’s £15m (€23.6m) forward Fernando Morientes.

The moves for Eto’o and Morientes come after the daring but unsuccessful raid for Brazil forward Rivaldo.

Eto’o, a pacey 21-year-old, starred in Cameroon’s three World Cup games before the Africans were edged out of the Group E qualifying positions by the Republic of Ireland.

He joined Mallorca from Real Madrid last summer on a four-year contract, after a long loan.

And he bagged half-a-dozen goals in the Primera Division last season, arousing Hoddle’s interest before the World Cup.

But Eto’o’s agent Willie McKay revealed Hoddle’s fresh approach last week was rejected due to Madrid’s massive 50% sell-on clause in his contract, which is activated if he is transferred before June 2003.

McKay told PA Sport: "Samuel first met Glenn Hoddle in Madrid three months ago. He liked Hoddle and was very keen on a move but when Spurs made an enquiry to Mallorca a week ago they were told he was not for sale, as Mallorca must give 50% of any transfer this season to Real Madrid.

"Next year they’ll be able to sell him and keep it all but if he was sold for £10m this year, £5m would got to Madrid.

"The Mallorca chairman has asked Samuel to stay for another year, until June 2003, so they can sell him then.

"Spurs are very keen on him but I don’t think they’ll get him this year.

"But Samuel actually said to Christian Ziege at the World Cup, when Cameroon played Germany, that he hoped he’d be in his team next year."

Eto’o will also qualify for a Spanish passport next summer, meaning he does not have to worry about work permit applications in any future transfers in Europe.

"If Samuel stays until next summer, he’ll have lived in Spain for five years and can get a Spanish passport," McKay added.

"That’s valuable as it avoids a lot of red tape and visas for him."