Man City concedes defeat in pursuit of Eto'o

Manchester City's pursuit of Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o is over. Barcelona had accepted City's bid for Eto'o, but a deal was stymied by a contractual dispute between the Cameroon international and the Champions League holders.

Updated on: Jul 11, 2009, 18:22:24 IST

AP | By HT Correspondent, Manchester

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Manchester City's pursuit of Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o is over.

Barcelona had accepted City's bid for Eto'o, but a deal was stymied by a contractual dispute between the Cameroon international and the Champions League holders.

"Eto'o is undoubtedly a fine footballer but the circumstances surrounding him were such that the deal could not be completed," City chief executive Garry Cook said on Friday.

Eto'o is about to enter the last year of his contract at Nou Camp and felt he should have received a significant portion of the 18 million pounds ($29 million) City was willing to pay. He is entitled to leave for free in the next offseason.

Cook said City will "pursue other avenues" in the transfer market.

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