Eto'o speculation saddens Laporta

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has admitted to being saddened by the situation which sees star striker Samuel Eto’o pondering a move away from the Camp Nou.

Manchester City are desperate to try and tempt the Cameroon international away from the European and Spanish champions, who have offered Eto’o an improved contract.

Laporta told the Cadena Cope radio station: “His representative and Samuel have said that he wants to continue and the club have offered him a contract renewal with the same conditions that he had, which we believe are very good.

“I think that what his representative is doing is not helping Samuel. It's a mistake to take the debate in the media. It's not doing the player any favours.

“Personally this matter has left me a little disappointed, it saddens me because I hold Eto'o in high esteem.

“I would like, in the same way as I've said up until now he has given a lot to Barca, that he reflects on what Barca have given him.

“I will do everything possible to find the best solution for the club and for Eto'o. It would be best for both parties.”

Meanwhile, Laporta is refusing to give up hope of prising Cesc Fabregas away from Arsenal this summer.

Barca are keen to re-sign a player who came through their youth ranks before joining the Gunners as a 16 year old in 2003.

Fabregas has gone on to make over 225 first-team appearances for the Gunners and was handed the captain's armband last season.

However, Laporta still believes there is a chance that the Spain midfielder could be tempted back to the Camp Nou.

"Cesc Fabregas has the Barcelona DNA in his body and we know that he wants to play for this club," he claimed.

"At the moment he is the leader at Arsenal and a very important player for them.

"But Cesc is wanted by me, by the coach Pep Guardiola and by the sport director Txiki Begiristain.

"We are concentrating all of our efforts on it, but at the same time we have a lot of respect for Arsenal.

"We have positive relations with Arsenal so it will not be an easy topic to talk to them about."

Elsewhere, Valenica president Manuel Llorente has rubbished renewed rumours suggesting that his club are in talks with Barca over a deal for Spain striker David Villa.

He told Europa Press: “Valencia is not negotiating and has not negotiated with Barcelona, at all.”

Real Madrid midfielder Ruben De la Red could be facing the end of his career as doctors struggle to diagnose a problem which caused him to collapse during a game last season.

The 24-year-old lost consciousness during a Copa del Rey clash at Real Union last October and has not played since, undergoing a number of medical tests which have so far failed to provide a definitive diagnosis.

A statement from the Spanish giants read: “Real Madrid announces that Ruben de la Red will not rejoin the first-team squad following the rigorous medical exams he has undergone over the last several months.

“Although the medical reports discourage De la Red from playing sports, Real Madrid will continue to search for solutions and has offered the player its assistance both personally and professionally speaking.”

Spain international De la Red made his name during a season-long loan spell with Getafe in 2007-08, but saw his hopes of an illustrious future at the Bernabeu dashed a matter of months later.