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General Sports News

Citizens close on Eto'o coup

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 29/06/2009

Manchester City have made a 'stratospheric offer' to try and tempt striker Samuel Eto'o to move to England from European champions Barcelona.

A fee of around 30million euros is expected to see the two clubs agree to do business, with Cameroon ace Eto'o to be tempted by a massive salary offer from the Citizens.

Barca president Joan Laporta told Catalan radio station iCat FM: "Eto'o has a stratospheric offer from City, which would convert him into the best paid player in the world.

"It's starting to become clear that he has this monster offer. He wants to stay, but an offer like this is very difficult to refuse.

"If Eto'o accepts this stratospheric offer we will have to bring in someone else."

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Arsenal's Dutch forward Robin van Persie has rejected rumours linking him with a summer move away from the Emirates Stadium.

The 25-year-old had been reported to be a possible target from Manchester United, but van Persie is adamant that he is going nowhere.

He told The News of the World: "I'm not in negotiations with any other club, just Arsenal. I see the potential at Arsenal.

"One fact which aggravates me is that in the five years I've been at Arsenal, we've won exactly the same number of trophies as I did at Feyenoord - one - that's not enough."

Wales props Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones will both miss the third and final British & Irish Lions Test in South Africa due to injury.

The pair sustained injuries during the 28-25 second Test defeat in Pretoria on Saturday.

Jenkins suffered a broken cheekbone in an accidental clash of head with Bryan Habana, while Jones was the victim of a charge by Bakkies Botha which has resulted in the Springbok being cited for foul play.

Brian O'Driscoll (concussion), Jamie Roberts (wrist) and Tommy Bowe (elbow) were also injured during the crucial weekend loss, with all three doubts for the series closer in Johannesburg.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan is set to retire from first-class cricket after continuing to be worried by knee problems.

The 34-year-old Yorkshire right-hander had failed to make the squad for the first Ashes Test with Australia and has decided that that is the signal for the end of his playing days.

Vaughan played in 82 Test matches in total and racked up 5,719 runs at an average of 41.44.

His captaincy record is even more impressive, with Vaughan having led the side 51 times and helped secure 26 victories, an England record.

Controversy reigned at The Jungle after Catalans Dragons left with a 22-20 victory over hosts Castleford Tigers.

The Tigers were eventually undone by a late Dane Carlaw try, which came from a debatable penalty awarded to the visitors by referee Ian Smith.

Smith had earlier upset the home side by not referring two Catalans tries to the video ref and he was forced to leave the field of play at the end of the game under the protection of a steward.

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