Barcelona should pursue a new striker this summer even if Eto'o decides to stay for another season because he will be missing for several weeks in the New Year, a club director has stated.

Xavier Sala i Martin believes that Barcelona should not stop chasing David Villa or any of their other targets as the squad needs strengthening up front.

Samuel Eto'o has yet to decide whether he will leave, pen a new deal with Barcelona or see out the remaining year of his current contract and that has led to intense speculation.

If Eto'o accepts Manchester City's offer then Barcelona will move for Villa, but if he turns that chance down then that should not change the club's plans, Sala i Martin thinks.

"Whether or not Eto'o stays we should strengthen the striker position because Samuel, like Keita and Toure, will be going to the African Cup of Nations halfway through the season and we will have to have a goalscorer for those weeks," Sport quote him as saying.

Barcelona have offered Samuel Eto'o a new two year extension on the same salary and Sala i Martin has revealed that he would be delighted if the goalscorer put pen to paper.

"If he does sign a new deal then we will be happy," he added.

Barcelona should pursue a new striker this summer even if Eto'o decides to stay for another season because he will be missing for several weeks in the New Year, a club director has stated.

Xavier Sala i Martin believes that Barcelona should not stop chasing David Villa or any of their other targets as the squad needs strengthening up front.

Samuel Eto'o has yet to decide whether he will leave, pen a new deal with Barcelona or see out the remaining year of his current contract and that has led to intense speculation.

If Eto'o accepts Manchester City's offer then Barcelona will move for Villa, but if he turns that chance down then that should not change the club's plans, Sala i Martin thinks.

"Whether or not Eto'o stays we should strengthen the striker position because Samuel, like Keita and Toure, will be going to the African Cup of Nations halfway through the season and we will have to have a goalscorer for those weeks," Sport quote him as saying.

Barcelona have offered Samuel Eto'o a new two year extension on the same salary and Sala i Martin has revealed that he would be delighted if the goalscorer put pen to paper.

"If he does sign a new deal then we will be happy," he added.