Hughes warns Eto'o: Don't keep me waiting
Reuters - Wednesday 01 July 2009, 10:59
Manchester City
manager Mark Hughes has warned Samuel Eto'o that he cannot wait
all summer for the Barcelona striker to make up his mind where
he wants to play next season.
On Wednesday, Hughes confirmed that the Premier League side
had bid for the 25 million-euro rated Cameroon
international but the forward remained undecided over his
future after being offered a new two-year contract by
Barcelona.
The City manager said he would exercise as much patience as
needed to take Eto'o to Eastlands but confirmed he would walk
away if the situation dragged on and he felt he could not take
it forward.
"We've lodged a bid for Samuel Eto'o, that's already been
reported," Hughes told reporters.
"We have targeted players we think can help us and he's
certainly someone we have a lot of respect for and we feel he
can help us.
"There's always an element of frustration when you can't
conclude deals very quickly, but we'll give every deal the
patience it deserves.
"If we get to a situation where we feel that things aren't
going to happen and we feel the process is stalling and we
can't move it forward then that's the time we walk away.
"We've done that before.
"We obviously made an offer to Barcelona and now there
seems to be a situation between the player and his club.
"We're not involved in that. That needs to be resolved
between the player and his club.
"Patience has been mentioned and we'll all have to be
patient."
Hughes also confirmed he was still hoping to sign Carlos
Tevez after the Argentina striker's loan expired at neighbours
Manchester United.
"Carlos Tevez is another player I have huge admiration
for," Hughes added.
"We'll see what happens but at this stage it's very early
in our discussions with anybody."