Contract length and wages to decide Chelsea’s move for Eto’o

Who of Romelu Lukaku, Fernando Torres or Demba Ba will spearhead the Chelsea attack is almost certain to have fuelled many pub discussions already this summer, but the correct answer to this question could prove to be none of the trio.

This is if the rumour mill is correct in suggesting that Jose Mourinho is interested in teaming up for a second time with Samuel Eto’o, who was a prominent member of the Portuguese’s treble-winning Inter Milan side in 2009/10.

Wayne Rooney remains the number one choice and is odds-on at 4/5 to be a Chelsea player by the end of the summer transfer window on September 1st.

However, with two offers already rebuffed by Manchester United and further comments signalling that he is not for sale, Mourinho will have to start on a contingency plan soon.

La Galaxy and Inter are also believed to be in the hunt for Eto’o, but Chelsea are likely to have an edge in terms of paying Anzhi’s asking price and paying the player’s wages, even if it is pretty much guaranteed that he will have to accept a pay cut.

It is in the area of contract length where Chelsea may run into their most difficulty, as their preference for players aged 30 or older is to offer single-year contracts. Eto’o would ideally want a longer deal.

Despite firing in more shots than any other player in the Russian top-flight this season so far, Eto’o can hardly be referred to as a typical striker, as he is more commonly used in a wider attacking role.

But with Chelsea already loaded in this department, with at least six first-team options, Eto’o may be a better fit leading the line, especially as Lukaku has already proved to be an adept super-sub in pre-season since his return to Stamford Bridge.

If Chelsea are successful in their pursuit of a new striker, their price of 11/5 to win the Premier League could shorten slightly.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.