Martinez confirms interest in Eto'o

, 13 January, 59comments  |  Jump to most recent
Roberto Martinez has admitted that Samuel Eto'o was left out of the team for tonight's cup replay because of interest in the striker from two clubs.

Talk of Eto'o joining Sampdoria this month has not abated despite Martinez's attempts to dampen press speculation yesterday by insisting that Everton have had no contact regarding the Cameroonian who would be guaranteed another year at Goodison once he makes 15 appearances, three more than he has made so far.

"A couple of clubs contacted us in the last 12 hrs so I decided to leave him out," Martinez said after the cup replay at West Ham. "We will see what is best for all of us. He's been fantastic for us, we've got a really good relationship and we will see what's (the) next best step for both [parties]."

Sources have since claimed that the player's agent, Claudio Vigorelli, held talks with the Italian club over dinner only last night and he has been quoted today as saying he is optimistic that a deal can be ironed out.

“The only uncertainty is the salary, but I am optimistic,” Vigorelli apparently told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“We will continue working towards coming to Sampdoria.”

Sampdoria are believed to have offered him a €1.5m a year deal but with a generous sponsor-backed bonus structure. Valencia are reported to be the other interested party, although there are suggestions that MLS side Seattle Sounders are also in the frame.

Updates The Mirror claim that Sampdoria are currently short of Eto'o's salary demands and have been told they will need to match his £60,000-a-week wages at Everton before a deal can be done.

The Express, meanwhile, report that the Italian club are trying to get a technical sponsor to fund the rest of the 33 year-old wage demands.

 

Reader Comments (59)

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Dave Hall
1 Posted 13/01/2015 at 18:24:11
Would probably be good business to sell him on in the end. He’s got class, but realistically is surplus to requirements with the central attacking options on hand.
Peter Murray
2 Posted 13/01/2015 at 18:31:32
Significantly it is the agent, Vignorelli (Italian I presume), having dinner with an Italian Club and talking to the Italian press. Raises the whole issue of playersÂ’ relationships with their agents and who actually calls the shots.

Dave Duggan
3 Posted 13/01/2015 at 18:44:23
Would sell him in a heart beat. You can bang on about his experience all you want but it ainÂ’t done much for us up to now has it. We have better players than him and its also oke less square peg for a round hole.

Also for a club like us to spend the money we are on wages for an impact sub is beyond stupid. HeÂ’s a bit of a tit as well, get rid!

Jon Withey
4 Posted 13/01/2015 at 19:14:04
Depends if we are selling at a loss or not really.
Len Hawkins
5 Posted 13/01/2015 at 19:40:23
Could Everton not throw in another couple of £million to let McGeady go with him.
Ian Brandes
6 Posted 13/01/2015 at 19:39:03
Samuel has not cost as much as fans think. He is apparently on a pay per play deal, I am told by someone in the know. So he will be gone sooner rather than later.

Plus, he is also out of favour with RM.

Stu Smith
7 Posted 13/01/2015 at 20:15:39
He’s not in the squad today which normally means....

Sad really as I think he provides good experience for uefa games.

Eugene Kearney
8 Posted 13/01/2015 at 20:38:50
How come there’s never any mention on these rumours of Eto’o about how much we are ("rumoured") to get for him???
Neil Wood
9 Posted 13/01/2015 at 23:48:51
Martinez has now confirmed two clubs are looking at Eto’o.
Lyndon Lloyd
10 Posted 14/01/2015 at 00:11:23
How come there’s never any mention on these rumours of Eto’o about how much we are ("rumoured") to get for him??

I get the feeling it will be undisclosed and that we will probably move him on for nothing to get rid. Rumours are that he has been a destabilising influence at Finch Farm which, when you think about how opinionated he is on the field, does not surprise me.

I imagine Roberto only wants one cook in the kitchen manning the proverbial broth! As it should be...

Colin Glassar
11 Posted 14/01/2015 at 00:14:46
Not doubting his talent but his reputation is one of a trouble-causer. Coupled that with his age, it’s probably best for both parties if he moves on. Same goes for Le Sulk, alias Distin. Great servant for the club but there can only be one manager.
Roman Sidey
12 Posted 14/01/2015 at 01:11:38
Odd that Martinez would give even that much information. Usually managers just put out the "slightly injured" soundbite. Interesting.
Brett Jonathan
13 Posted 14/01/2015 at 01:32:34
Done deal, it seems. For whatever reason, this one is done.
Sam Rangle
14 Posted 14/01/2015 at 01:53:18
Too many cooks? Well, we have one Michelin-rated chef who has won almost everything there is and another cook who won an award and got kicked out of the kitchen in the same year.

Shitty analogy but you get the point. Truthfully, which one would you listen to? If there was a difference in philosophy, then the players would listen to the winner.

Maybe Martinez is more pig headed than we thought. Players telling him to play more direct. Him off loading a world beater just because he disagrees with the slow build up approach? I donÂ’t like it.

Minik Hansen
15 Posted 14/01/2015 at 02:11:14
I have an Eto’o shirt! I will miss him if he goes, I’ve got so much respect for him that he chose our club. NSNO.
Steven Telford
16 Posted 14/01/2015 at 04:13:56
Scavenger agents, going to pick the bones of his career.

If I was a cub owner, and an agent was openly saying such things, a club owner with balls would give a call to the player and say: "You may indeed be moving on, and we will wish you the best, but while you are under contract, if your clown agent opens his greedy mouth in public one more time, in a manner which disrespects the club, you’ll be running your contract out with the reserves. Make that very clear to him."

Joseph Terrence
17 Posted 14/01/2015 at 05:23:53
While I agree with you in theory Steven, it’d be a hell of a loss to pay someone millions of quid just to prove a point.
Ian Hollingworth
18 Posted 14/01/2015 at 07:15:44
I look forward to what Eto'o has to say once the deal has gone through
We are losing a quality player who is a big asset in the European games.
Who next who is leaving Roberto, Coleman?
Oh and we still haven't won a game in 9 matches. WBA a massive fixture.
Derek Thomas
19 Posted 14/01/2015 at 07:53:29
Ian #18 by all accounts he has a lot to say...not backward in coming forward as is said...hence the move??
James Morgan
20 Posted 14/01/2015 at 08:11:08
Maybe he is one of the reasons things aren't going so well this season, who knows?
He will be earning a good wage and isn't playing much, free up the money for some young, hungry players.
John Malone
22 Posted 14/01/2015 at 08:27:46
He's well past his best that's why we got him let him go, good look Sammy!
Norman Turner
23 Posted 14/01/2015 at 08:35:58
On the basis that this has probably been known to the players for the past week or so, perhaps it is one reason for the apparent improvement in spirit on the pitch, and the evident improvement in performances.

Like most, I thought he may be an inspired signing, and he has showed a couple of moments of class but, if that is at the expense of destabilising the dressing room, no thank you.

Ian Hollingworth
24 Posted 14/01/2015 at 09:10:56
Derek #19 by all accounts he has a lot to say
Isn't that what we have all been clamouring for on here the manager to listen to what everyone sees but him, in that we had to change the style?
So now if you speak out about manager tactics etc you are on your well.

Eto'o well may be passed his best but he is still a cut above most of our squad in terms of class and what about the experience he can pass on to the youngsters?
Why did we go after him in the summer only to move him on in January?

Also will we replace him?....... yeah right what do you think!!!!!

Derek Thomas
25 Posted 14/01/2015 at 09:29:07
Ian; being a bit of a gob might have nothing to do with it, nor being a rebel ( without a clue ) or a bit of a loose cannon ( with a sense of direction) usually it comes down to agents and money.

We seem to lurch from one cock up to another.

One day, 10 yrs down the track or so, all these events of the last 6mths. will come out...maybe.

This IS Everton

And we WILL make a drama out of a crisis

Declan Martin
26 Posted 14/01/2015 at 09:45:34
Looked good at the start of the season and scored a couple of critical goals. Since then, hasn't really featured - problem being there doesn't seem to be an obvious role for him in the team. He's not a lead striker. We have both Naismith and Barkley playing behind Lukaku (does that qualify as a "No 10" role?). When Et'o plays, he seems to crowd the area, without creating any width.
Also, he's a bit lazy
Teddy Bertin
27 Posted 14/01/2015 at 09:39:37
I might be wrong but I feel like heÂ’s destabilised the team. You see him mouthing off on the pitch and telling people what to do (which he has every right to because heÂ’s won everything), demanding the ball all the time and then doing very little with it. We had a good team spirit/confidence before he arrived and there were glimpses of it returning last night.

EtoÂ’oÂ’s shouting on the pitch seems to have coincided with Coleman throwing his arms up a hell of a lot when he canÂ’t see a pass, Barkley walking around looking at the floor and Barry not opening his mouth anymore. Happy to see him go (although we will miss his experience in Europe) and free up some money for a new signing. COYB

Nigel Gregson
28 Posted 14/01/2015 at 10:04:06
He's Samuel Eto'o for god's sake. If he wants to go, thats fine we'll save the wages, but will remember his class with a smile.
Nick West
29 Posted 14/01/2015 at 12:06:54
I reckon he screwed up the dynamic in the squad because of his reputation - totally justified, it has to be said - as a great player. However, now, he's not a great player but his big shadow seemed to cast long over the team. There were times other players seem to give him the ball out of deference rather than taking the initiative themselves.
Paul Smith
30 Posted 14/01/2015 at 12:29:42
Great once, not now. At times the ball seemed to stick to his feet and he could conjure a situation out of nothing. Jose got rid after one season, we're gonna beat that. Happy if just he goes and the rest remains intact.
Ste Traverse
31 Posted 14/01/2015 at 12:40:48
People have moaned on here all season about our style, yet Eto'o gets criticised for apparently having 'a lot to say' about it?

What's all that about?

He's a quality player with plenty to offer for the rest of this season. Particulary in Europe.

Get rid? And replace him who, exactly?

Andrew Ellams
32 Posted 14/01/2015 at 12:59:48
Eto'o has had very little to offer since the Burnley game outside the odd good first touch. Maybe that's down to the slow paced sideways passing game we've been playing but personally I'd rather see another wide player come in and let Barkley and Naismith battle it out for the number 10 position.
Harry Sosnowy
33 Posted 14/01/2015 at 14:01:31
Shame useful and experienced player however, no point in having him if we are not going to play him in his favored position. Martinez prefers Kone..

Brian Porter
34 Posted 14/01/2015 at 14:03:13
When he arrived, EtoÂ’o said he was impressed by EvertonÂ’s style of play, and... wait for it.. what Roberto Martinez had told him. In other words, he fell for the same smooth talk that the rest of us did, expecting to be playing for a fast, attacking, all-action thoroughbred team.

Instead, heÂ’s found himself getting very little game time in a team that have resembled a collection of knackered carthorses for much of the season, thanks to MartinezÂ’s inflexible attitude towards tactics and playing style. No wonder he wants out!

Now that the players seem to have finally had some say in how we approach the game it has probably come too late, and so one of the biggest names in world football ends up spending less than one whole season at Everton. DoesnÂ’t that say something?

Mick Wrende
35 Posted 14/01/2015 at 14:18:40
Let's face it: Eto'o is finished... so let's be shut of him and pay someone who is up-and-coming.
Paul Ellam
36 Posted 14/01/2015 at 14:37:13
What was the point of getting him in in the first place?
And when he goes, who do we replace him with?
Maybe Martinez has somebody already lined up, or maybe we won't be getting anybody in!
After what can only be described as a poor season we surely must be looking at getting some bodies in to strengthen positions where we are weak - GK, CB, LW and now CF.
I for one will miss him, I quite enjoyed having him at the club.
Mark Pendleton
37 Posted 14/01/2015 at 15:35:48
I think we signed Eto'o on the basis that we weren't sure if Kone would recover from injury. A great capture on that basis and if we can sell him on for a small undisclosed fee or his contract is bought out now we know Kone seems to have successfully regained fitness then I think it's been a smart move. It's been clear recently he's not got the pace to be our lone striker and if he's playing off the front he'll only obstruct Barkley's progress.
Brian Waring
38 Posted 14/01/2015 at 15:51:28
"When he arrived, Eto’o said he was impressed by Everton’s style of play, and... wait for it.. what Roberto Martinez had told him. In other words, he fell for the same smooth talk that the rest of us did"

Any old stick to beat Martinez with hey.

James Marshall
39 Posted 14/01/2015 at 16:11:52
Maybe we could buy Falcao who appears to be available? About as likely and informed as many of the opinions of Eto'o on this thread eh.
Kieran Riding
40 Posted 14/01/2015 at 16:14:37
Anyone heard of Stefan Lukic ?
Brian Hennessy
41 Posted 14/01/2015 at 17:22:47
It shows how BK has made us all lower our expectations when we look at a player moving on and we immediately think of the money it can save us on wages.

I think we have a good balance of front players at the moment with Eto'o, if he goes and Lukaku picks up an injury that leaves us hoping Kone can play week in week out.

I would prefer to see him stay and us strengthen at the back buy hey, we are Everton, we must sell on if we want to buy anyone.

Thanks Bill....

Zayn Zaffar
42 Posted 14/01/2015 at 17:38:12
Great game last night, but we lost. Talking about Eto’o, we all know he is class, heÂ’s been there and done it. Why not play two up front? Eto’o with Lukaku/Kone, or Eto’o & Kone in Europa, as I still think he has a lot of football left in him.
David Harrison
43 Posted 14/01/2015 at 18:01:57
Bloody hell, I never learn. The lad wanted a shirt with Eto'o on the back for Xmas.oh we'll he got a month out of it, probably more than a lot of other presents lasted
David Harrison
44 Posted 14/01/2015 at 18:06:30
Come to think of it, maybe he was only brought in to sell shirts. Grrr!
James Stewart
45 Posted 14/01/2015 at 18:23:03
If we had more players like Eto’o instead of some of the useless wasters who currently play, then we would be a lot better off. Eto’o is a poacher, plain and simple play him up top and he scores. We have played in everywhere but his natural position.

Love how he is in the ear of referees too. The only player we have who does that I might add. Sad to see him go if true.

Ian McDowell
46 Posted 14/01/2015 at 18:54:18
Good player who has never been given enough playing time. We should of used hime far more this season. Need another striker if he goes, hopefully a young Bony type.
James Carroll
47 Posted 14/01/2015 at 19:32:37
Would have loved us to have signed Defoe - even just for 6 months.
Andy Meighan
48 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:35:29
HeÂ’s had his moments but basically itÂ’s been a gamble that just hasnÂ’t paid off.

Maybe being played out of position hasnÂ’t helped him but to me he looks one lazy bastard and at times you can almost hear him thinking, IÂ’m Samuel Etoo I donÂ’t have to graft IÂ’ve won everything.

Well thatÂ’s as maybe Sammy baby but that was then and this is now. I hope he does go, itÂ’s one less pensioner off the bill. I hope he takes Barry, Howard, Pienaar, Gibson and Alcaraz with him. Alright, maybe a bit harsh on Howard but you get my drift.

Mark Cooper
49 Posted 15/01/2015 at 10:39:07
I agree with James (20): when he signed, he stated that he did so because we had agreed to give him some input on the training pitch.

Maybe that hasn't worked out as hoped; he is a quality player but you can't allow any one to undermine the manager.

If he goes then so be it and thanks and good luck to him.

Kieran Riding
50 Posted 15/01/2015 at 16:20:36
Close to going now. "Family reasons" will be the line.
Eric Myles
51 Posted 15/01/2015 at 16:31:37
Kieran #40, he enjoys some karaoke if the pics are to be believed?

Jim Hardin
52 Posted 15/01/2015 at 23:04:46
I would say we need him and should use him up front with Lukaku. His ball skills and understanding of the game are unbelievable and apart from Pienaar and maybe Baines are miles ahead of what our players are expecting. I can't imagine what he thinks when he sees a ball played to Barkley whose first touch then goes pinging off 4-6 feet away though? I would yell too.

You can see him expecting a certain run or touch and setting himself up to make it or receive it and then the other players let him down. The slow build-up play is killing his strengths and as far as pace well he is faster than Naismith (whom I like).
If he has to go can we send McGeady (gift) and Besic (loan) too?

Kieran Fitzgerald
53 Posted 16/01/2015 at 07:04:30
I don't think at this stage we are going to get the best out of him. It's unfortunate as he is quality. Still, if we can ship him out now for any kind of a fee, and free up his wages, then some good will still come out of him.

I see on today's BBC gossip column that Villa are stalling on signing Scott Sinclair as Chelsea want £3M for him. Surely we could stretch to that?

Allan Barratt
54 Posted 16/01/2015 at 08:16:48
Why? He's rubbish!!!
Kieran Riding
55 Posted 16/01/2015 at 12:52:10
Gone.
Kieran Riding
56 Posted 16/01/2015 at 13:31:52
And I’m sure Bobby just said we are after a keeper as well?
Nigel Gregson
57 Posted 19/01/2015 at 12:15:01
Here's the real reason why Eto'os going. He costs us £80k / week:

Samuel Eto'o transfer from Everton to Sampdoria will save Toffees £6million in wages

And now that we have Kone back as striker No 2, he's too much of a luxury to keep.

Nigel Gregson
58 Posted 19/01/2015 at 12:15:41
Summary if the link doesn't work :

"Everton have allowed Samuel Eto'o to join Sampdoria – and saved £6million in wages on the Cameroon striker.

Eto'o was due to get a one-year extension to the 12-month deal he signed last summer once he had played 15 matches for the Merseysiders."

Ernie Baywood
59 Posted 19/01/2015 at 12:19:49
Shame. I don't doubt he's still got enough quality. He put in some cracking performances early on. But if the question marks are around his attitude or his impact on the team then good riddance.
Dave Abrahams
60 Posted 19/01/2015 at 12:27:03
I've got mixed feelings over Eto'o going but overall I'm more worried about players going out and no sign of any players coming in.

With Kenwright in charge I wouldn't be surprised if nobody came in and there would be no point in getting angry because we can do little about it.


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