Eto'o always want to stay at Barca

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o claims he never considered leaving the Nou Camp despite having the chance to join English champions Chelsea.

The 24-year-old, currently in his native Cameroon, is expected to sign a new deal with the Catalan side on his return after snubbing an approach from Chelsea, who reportedly bid £46.5m (€70m) for the player.

Eto’o told Catalan daily Sport: “I had an offer from Chelsea but it never entered my mind to go and the suggestion that I used this to my advantage in order to get a better contract here is a big lie.”

Eto’o believes Barcelona will have to fight harder next season as the expectation on them will be higher and they will also be the side to beat in Spain.

“It is clear that now it will be tough because when you start to win titles then people always ask for more,” he added.

The Cameroon forward also denied that he fell out with coach Frank Rijkaard at the end of the season over team tactics.

“The claims that I was angry have all been invented and I never had any problem, even though it appears as though some people wish I did,” he said.