Transfers of Saturday, 23 August 2014

Source: ibtimes.co.uk

Eto'o on standby after completing Liverpool medical

Free agent striker Samuel Eto'o has reportedly undergone a medical with Liverpool and has verbally agreed a 12-month deal to move to Anfield.

According to the Daily Mail, the Cameroon international has completed his medical in Paris and is said to be on standby to join Liverpool, if their move for Mario Balotelli collapses.

According to various reports, the Reds have agreed a £16m fee with AC Milan for the transfer of the Italian striker, and it is claimed that there are just a few key details that need to be sorted before Balotelli becomes Liverpool's ninth summer signing.

Eto'o, on the other hand, has been a free agent ever since he was released by Chelsea in the summer and has been linked to various clubs around Europe. It is believed that he held talks with Eredivisie club Ajax about a move, but the striker reportedly wants to remain in England.

The 33-year-old, who was Chelsea's top scoring striker during the previous campaign with nine goals, wants to prove a point to Jose Mourinho, who mocked the Cameroonian's age during a press conference last season.

Merseyside rivals Everton were also rumoured to be interested in signing the former Barcelona forward, but he seems to have chosen the Reds over the Toffees, with the lure of Champions League football being a major factor in his decision.

Meanwhile, the Guardian believes Balotelli has agreed to take a pay cut to complete his move to Liverpool, and has also completed part of his medical, with the process to be completed on Saturday.

The Anfield club have agreed a fee of £16m and have also agreed personal terms with the player after smooth negotiations with his agent Mino Raiola. It is believed that the former Manchester City striker will earn around £80,000-a-week and will sign a three-year contract, with option for a fourth, which will be solely Liverpool's decision.

The report also claims that Brendan Rodgers has insisted on various behavioral clauses in his contract and the Italian stands to make as much as £2m if he adheres to all of them.