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29 March 2024

Losing Eto'o would be a huge blow, says Ibrahimovic

Published
By AFP

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic says rivals Inter Milan would suffer if they let Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o leave.

Eto'o is the subject of intense transfer speculation over a possible big-money switch to Russia to join Anzhi Makhachkala, although the 30-year-old says he could also move to England.

And having let Ibrahimovic himself leave two years ago and Mario Balotelli last year, the big Swede says Inter would be ill-advised to lose another talented forward.

"If Inter lose Eto'o it's normal that they'll lose quality, there isn't another player like Eto'o, he's proved he's one of the best in the world," Ibrahimovic told Italian media, although he admitted he doesn't know how he would react if a team offered him the kind of money being pushed under Eto'o's nose.

"I'm happy to stay at Milan and so I'd say that I wouldn't accept.

"However, it's one thing to talk, you have to see. It's not easy, I haven't been offered anything and I hope it stays that way.

"When I came to Milan I knew I was getting a great opportunity, it put the smile back on my face, I'm happy and I feel good.

"But then again, you never know in football, one day Milan might not want me any more."

Eto'o is reported to have been offered 15-20 million euros a season to join the Dagestani outfit while the transfer fee is said to be in the region of 20-30 million euros.

Ibrahimovic was himself involved in a huge transfer that saw him leave Inter for Barcelona and Eto'o head in the opposite direction along with 50 million euros for the Italians' coffers.

However, after one year in Spain, Ibrahimovic came back to Milan to join the red half of the city where he won the Serie A title in his first season.

He's never won the Champions League, though, unlike Eto'o who's won it three times, and he believes his current side need to sign some players if they are to take the next step up to conquering Europe.

"We've got a strong team, we know what we need to do to win in Europe," he added.

"To be competitive at the highest level maybe we need one or two players more."

Milan have already signed defenders Philippe Mexes and Taye Taiwo on free transfers while completing the signing of Kevin-Prince Boateng, who they half-owned with Genoa last season.

But with Andrea Pirlo having left, Milan have admitted they are in the market for an attacking midfieler, which they describe as a left half winger.