Samuel Eto’o to the NASL?!? Reports claim mutual interest

Well, here’s an odd one…

After hiring Raul and allegedly courting Steven Gerrard, the New York Cosmos have again gotten their names in the headlines with a superstar.

ESPN UK is reporting that Everton’s Samuel Eto’ois a target for the NASL club situated in USSF’s second tier. Apparently the interest is there, but not the dollars, and a loan to a wealthy club would help things move along for the Cosmos.

[ USWNT: Solo charges dropped ]

It’s not entirely inconceivable, as the Cameroonian star striker has been linked with a move to Sampdoria. But that’s Serie A, and it’s still mostly inconceivable.

From ESPN:

“The Cosmos would have to get very creative to bring the wages up to something (Eto’o) would be comfortable with,” a source close to the negotiations said.

“MLS teams have either turned him down or they haven’t responded, probably because they have been concentrating on the combine. They also know there is a good chance Sampdoria could put in a better offer.”

Sources described a possible scenario where the Cosmos could attract Eto’o in an arrangement in which he plays for them and then goes to a team with rich owners in Asia or the Middle East.

Pardon us if we find it hard to believe an MLS GM gets a call about a Premier League player and says, “Nah. Got the combine to worry about.” It’s more likely his salary demands or reputation must be outrageous for MLS teams to not have any interest, but Sampdoria seems the likely destination.

In his last 35 Premier League games, spread between Chelsea and Everton, Eto’o has notched 12 goals. That said, the Cosmos would become a threat in the US Open Cup — let alone the NASL — with the addition of Eto’o.