Not Rooney, but striker halves wages to sign for Chelsea
Published:Signing a new striker has been a preference for Jose Mourinho in recent weeks and although a Wayne Rooney deal is looking increasingly unlikely, Samuel Eto’o is set to sign a one-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho knows Eto’o well from their successful time together at Inter Milan and he will not be paid even half the sum he has been receiving at Russian club Anzhi at the Blues.
Reports indicate that Eto’o has agreed to take a wage cut from £300,000 to £135,000 and that there is an option for a contract extension for another year, depending on how many appearances he makes.
At Inter, Eto’o was utilised as a wide forward, but given Chelsea’s embarrassment of attacking midfield riches, he can be expected to lead the line in London.
This is further backed up by the fact that Mourinho doesn’t look entirely convinced by any of his current striking options and picked Andre Schurrle as a makeshift front man for the goalless draw at Manchester United.
Eto’o was a key member of the Inter team that won the treble of the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia under Mourinho and then netted 37 goals in 53 games in the following season at the club when shunted into the centre forward position.
Mourinho and Eto’o could combine for another treble with Chelsea this season, with the Blues currently the 9/5 favourites to win the Premier League after taking seven points from their opening three games.
The deal could also see Demba Ba moved on from Chelsea in the transfer window, with a possible loan return to former club Newcastle being muted.
Although Loic Remy has joined, another striker would still be of benefit to Newcastle and should they not sign one, 11/2 may look a big price on their Premier League relegation.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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