With Luis Suarez jumping ship to Barcelona early last month, Liverpool have been hard pressed to find a replacement for the mercurial Uruguayan. In the past few weeks they’ve seen a move for Loic Remy fall apart due to a failed medical and have been linked with some of Europe’s best strikers. Now, they’re being linked with a move for free agent Samuel Eto’o.
Yes, that’s the same player that was released by Chelsea at the end of the season and is currently without an employer. With Fabio Borini looking bound to end up either at Sunderland, or in the very least, somewhere else, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is currently facing the prospect of going into the new season with only Rickie Lambert and Daniel Sturridge at his disposal. With a few weeks left in the transfer window, it’s hardly cause for alarm, but if a deal is in the works for the former Barcelona man, it sounds like they’re going to have to act fast, lest they lose out to Ajax in the race for his signature.
“Samuel seemed very hungry to play for Ajax. He is fit and has a great drive to succeed once again” said Marc Overmars, who serves as the sporting director for the Dutch juggernauts. “We don’t want to block the growing process of our talents but if it is possible to sign a world class player like Eto’o, then why not? It will be fantastic.”
A deal for an ageing talent like Eto’o is hardly the kind of move that will get the Kop buzzing, but it could be a shrewd bit of business from Liverpool if Rodgers can get the experienced striker firing once again. A poor return of nine league goals in 21-appearances for the Blues last season left Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho critical of the Cameroonian international, but with his former protege showing a knack for fixing the Portuguese bosses broken toys, the Reds could see an improved output from the 33-year old should they take a punt on him.
More on this as it develops…
