Eto’o’s future at Barca remains in serious doubt, but club president Joan Laporta insists that he is hopeful that the Cameroon international can't only stay beyond the summer, but end his career at the Catalan.

Speculation in SPORT, earlier today, appeared to suggest that Pep Guardiola had ran out of patience with Samuel Eto’o and that the club would be interested in offloading him, should a suitable bidder be found.

However, AS reports that Joan Laporta remains confident that the 30 goal striker will put pen to paper on a new deal and go on to see out the remainder of his playing career as a Barcelona player.

"Eto’o’s contract ends next season and this requires that we sit talking with the players representative. The will of the club is that he will continue here for many more years," said Joan Laporta.

“For me, Eto’o is the best striker in the world. Barca has to pay him in line with our wage structure, and this is something we have talked about. Samuel is a highly paid player, and it would be nice if he could finish his career at Barca.”

Samuel Eto’o’s current deal expires in 2010 and, as of yet, contract talks have stalled with the likes of AC Milan and Chelsea lurking in the background, both interested in securing the 28 year old, who was an integral part of Barcelona’s stunning treble-winning season.

Eto’o’s future at Barca remains in serious doubt, but club president Joan Laporta insists that he is hopeful that the Cameroon international can't only stay beyond the summer, but end his career at the Catalan.

Speculation in SPORT, earlier today, appeared to suggest that Pep Guardiola had ran out of patience with Samuel Eto’o and that the club would be interested in offloading him, should a suitable bidder be found.

However, AS reports that Joan Laporta remains confident that the 30 goal striker will put pen to paper on a new deal and go on to see out the remainder of his playing career as a Barcelona player.

"Eto’o’s contract ends next season and this requires that we sit talking with the players representative. The will of the club is that he will continue here for many more years," said Joan Laporta.

“For me, Eto’o is the best striker in the world. Barca has to pay him in line with our wage structure, and this is something we have talked about. Samuel is a highly paid player, and it would be nice if he could finish his career at Barca.”

Samuel Eto’o’s current deal expires in 2010 and, as of yet, contract talks have stalled with the likes of AC Milan and Chelsea lurking in the background, both interested in securing the 28 year old, who was an integral part of Barcelona’s stunning treble-winning season.