Eto'o to remain with Barcelona

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o has revealed he turned down an approach from Chelsea and will instead sign a new deal with the Primera Liga champions.

Despite recent comments from Eto’o’s agent, Josep Maria Mesalles, questioning how much Barca wanted to keep the Cameroon international, the player now appears ready to pen a new contract until 2010 which will see him earn around €5.5m a year.

Eto’o, who is currently in Cameroon on national team duty, told the Barcelona-based Sport publication: “I had an offer from Chelsea but I always was clear that I wanted to stay at Barca.

“The most important thing is not money, and my wife put her foot down over the idea of packing our bags and going to a city like London, and I have to respect her.”

Barca president Joan Laporta, who is also in Cameroon, was never in any doubt that Eto’o was going to stay.

“The basis of an agreement has been in place for a couple of weeks and it only needs to be completed,” he said.

“I was convinced that Samuel had to remain as for me he is a key player not only in the goals he scores but also in lots of other ways.

“He also creates chances and works hard for the team, for me he is the best in the world in his position.”#