Now it is the turn of Russian clubs to lure star players with mega bucks like cash-rich Premier League club Manchester City.
The 'Mirror' reports that Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o is set to join Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala on an incredible salary of £300,000 (nearly half a million dollars) a week.
Cash-strapped Inter, who made a £65 million loss last year, are now set to agree a £32 million fee for the player, who had been linked with a potential swap deal involving Manchester City's wantaway striker Carlos Tevez.
The monopoly-money wages will, unsurprisingly, make the 30-year-old Cameroon marksman the highest-paid player in the world.
His wages will dwarf the earnings of Lionel Messi at Barcelona and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, according to the report.
Eto’s representative Claudio Vigorelli has confirmed that the striker has agreed personal terms.
"We have almost reached an agreement," he said. "Now we hope that the clubs agree.”
Eto’o smashed 34 goals last season to fire Inter to a European and domestic Treble in 2010, having done the same the year before with Spanish giants Barcelona.
Meanwhile, the 'Daily Mail' reported that Zenit St Petersburg are ready to make Newcastle rebel Joey Barton a lucrative offer.
The 28-year-old has been made available on a free transfer after falling out with Newcastle’s hierarchy but has been training with the first team again this week and is expected to figure against Arsenal on Saturday.
However, Zenit are willing to offer him a deal worth £68,000 a week after tax, while Stoke are also reportedly interested in Barton.