DUTCH giants Ajax are hopeful of beating Liverpool to the signing of former Chelsea frontman Samuel Eto'o.

According to Amsterdam based newspaper De Telegraaf, Ajax are prepared to make the Cameroon international their highest paid player in a bid to lure him to the Dutch capital.

Starsport reported earlier this week that Liverpool were lining up a shock move to sign the 33-year-old, who is available on a free following his release from Chelsea at the end of last season.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is desperate to bolster his forward options having lost talisman Luis Suarez to Barcelona last month.

Moves to bring Loic Remy, Radamel Falcao and Edinson Cavani to Anfield failed to come to fruition, leaving Rodgers with only Daniel Sturridge, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini as the club's recognised strikers.

It is understood Rodgers has turned his attentions to Eto'o with the September 1 transfer deadline looming.

Liverpool, who kick-off their Premier League campaign at home to Southampton on Sunday, are yet to make a formal approach for Eto'o.

But with Ajax aiming to complete a deal for the former Barcelona and Inter Milan star, Rodgers could make his move.

Eto'o was released by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho in June, despite netting 12 times in 34 appearances during his one season stay at Stamford Bridge.