Samuel Eto’o set for Sampdoria as Everton deny problems with striker

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/16/samuel-etoo-everton-sampdoria

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Roberto Martínez has denied that there is anything “sinister” behind Samuel Eto’o’s probable departure from Everton as the veteran striker closes in on a move to Sampdoria.

The 33-year-old was omitted from Everton’s FA Cup third-round replay defeat at West Ham United on Tuesday having received offers from several clubs, including a lucrative deal from the Middle East. Eto’o’s agent has claimed Santos of Brazil are also interested but that the striker favours a move to Sampdoria to be closer to his family in Milan.

Everton’s willingness to bank a nominal fee for the three-times Champions League winner marks a swift deterioration in the striker’s standing at Goodison Park. Eto’o becomes contracted for a second season at Everton once he makes 15 starts – he has made 12 so far – but Martínez has rebutted suggestions that finance, or a negative influence on the dressing room, has pushed the striker towards the exit.

“We have heard a lot of stories but there is nothing sinister with Samuel,” the Everton manager said. “It is very natural. January was always going to be a moment where a player like Samuel was going to consider all his options. If the option he decides is to stay at Everton until the end of the season, we will welcome that. But there is nothing strange, nothing has happened. Samuel has a terrific relationship with everybody and has been a big influence with most of the young players.”

Claudio Vigorelli, Eto’o’s agent, claims that the former Internazionale striker has decided to return to Italy with Sampdoria and that a deal is in place.

“He’s chosen Genoa and he’s really motivated,” said Vigorelli. “An offer has arrived from Santos which was greater from a financial viewpoint but he isn’t interested in it. His family lives in Milan and he dreams of playing in such a passionate place like Genoa to finish his career.”

Eto’o is understood to have held talks with the Middle East club Al Gharafa from Qatar earlier in the week. Martínez meanwhile has admitted he would not select the striker until “his mind-set is right”.

The manager explained: “I have said many times that I don’t like the window being open when you have official games. In the window you can have the footballer and the human being who is thinking about the next move. How can they challenge for a 50-50 ball in the same manner if they are thinking of the next move?”