Sam the man for Chelsea

Chelsea target: Samuel Eto'o

14 April 2012

Chelsea have agreed a £6.9million fee with Real Mallorca for striker Samuel Eto'o as Roman Abramovich's sensational spending spree looks set to continue.

Although Christian Vieri is still the No1 target for Claudio Ranieri, a deal has been struck for the Cameroon striker if that transfer does not happen.

The move has been masterminded by top Israeli agent Pini Zahavi, the man who introduced the Russian billionaire to Chelsea, and it would take spending to a staggering £65.4m this summer.

Eto'o was pulled out of Mallorca's friendly at Bolton last night and Chelsea were yesterday preparing the paperwork for a work permit application, which should not prove a problem as he is a first choice player for Cameroon.

A spokesman for Inter Milan today denied reports that a deal for Vieri was imminent. "There is no agreement with any club. There are not even any negotiations. Christian Vieri is an Inter player and he will wear Inter's shirt next season," the spokesman said.

"There is no doubt at all about that." The Italian international was training with his club in Milan today.

Eto'o, meanwhile, has something of a disruptive reputation after being involved in several verbal and physical incidents in Spain.

The 22-year-old is Mallorca's all-time Primera Liga leading goalscorer and once said he was "uglier than Beckham but a better footballer".

He became a national hero in Cameroon when he scored the goal that beat Brazil in the Confederations Cup.

He joined Real Madrid in 1997 from Cameroon side Avenir Douala, but was then sold on to Mallorca. Madrid will get some of the transfer fee if he is sold.

Eto'o was the youngest player at the World Cup in France in 1998 and second highest scorer as Cameroon won the African Nations Cup in 2000, with four goals. He helped his country win gold at the Sydney Olympics later that year, then retain their African crown in 2002.

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Sam the man for Chelsea

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