Spurs approach ageing Eto’o as West Ham pull out of deal

Following Samuel Eto’o’s reported weekly wage demand of £120k, West Ham United pulled out of the running to sign the Cameroon striker, with Premier League top four hopes Tottenham (10/3) now hoping to take him to north London.

New Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has already bolstered his defence, by signing goalkeeper Michel Vorm and Ben Davies from Swansea City, as well as England Under-21 centre back Eric Dier from Sporting Lisbon. However, the Argentine is short of options up front.

Flop Spaniard Roberto Soldado, inconsistent Emmanuel Adebayor and youngster Harry Kane are the only striking options for Pochettino at White Hart Lane, which is why he has his sights set on ageing superstar Eto’o.

But, at the age of 33, it is unclear what extra firepower he can offer. Last season he managed just 12 goals in all competitions for Chelsea, and was part of a strike force, with Fernando Torres and Demba Ba, that failed to live up to expectations. The Blues finished the season trophy-less.

But what Eto’o would bring to Spurs is a wealth of experience, with the player being a key part of successful sides in the past such as Inter Milan and Barcelona, picking up numerous silverware along the way.

The striker, who played for Cameroon in their disappointing World Cup campaign in Brazil, is currently a free agent, after being released by Blues boss Jose Mourinho, but has said he hopes to stay in London. He is also linked with Arsenal and QPR, while has reportedly received lucrative offers to ply his trade in the Middle East.

“Ideally I want to be playing European football next season and staying in London,” he said, though.

With Tottenham finishing sixth last term, it means Eto’o would get his wish of playing football in Europe, the Europa League, with the club aiming to progress past their last 16 feat last season – where they lost to runners-up Benfica.