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Cape Town - Everton boss Roberto Martinez has revealed "a couple of
clubs" have approached the Merseysiders over a potential deal for Samuel
Eto'o.
The Cameroonian striker has failed to cement a regular starting role at Goodison Park since his arrival as a free agent from Chelsea at the beginning of the season, and although he has made 20 appearances this term, he has managed just four goals.
Eto'o was missing from the Toffees squad which went down to West Ham on penalties in their FA Cup third-round replay on Tuesday, and speaking after that defeat, Martinez confirmed their was interest in the former Barcelona forward.
"A couple of clubs have contacted us in last 12 hours about signing Eto'o," Football411 quote Martinez as saying.
"We have to sit down and discuss what to do. I decided it was best he wasn't involved tonight. He will continue to train with us. He hasn't asked to leave."
Speaking of his side's defeat against the Hammers, Martinez was left ruing what he felt were mistakes from the referee, most notably when the match official chose not award Everton a free-kick instead of an extra-time penalty when Kevin Mirallas was seemingly upended in the area.
"I thought the referee wasn't consistent at all," Martinez said. "I know that West Ham had a claim for a penalty. The referee saw that action.
"I have no justification how the referee didn’t see the Kevin Mirallas free kick is not in the box. Especially in an area where the linesman is looking at the action and maybe the linesman is the one giving the free kick.
"He should have seen he is in the box. I don’t understand that action."
The Cameroonian striker has failed to cement a regular starting role at Goodison Park since his arrival as a free agent from Chelsea at the beginning of the season, and although he has made 20 appearances this term, he has managed just four goals.
Eto'o was missing from the Toffees squad which went down to West Ham on penalties in their FA Cup third-round replay on Tuesday, and speaking after that defeat, Martinez confirmed their was interest in the former Barcelona forward.
"A couple of clubs have contacted us in last 12 hours about signing Eto'o," Football411 quote Martinez as saying.
"We have to sit down and discuss what to do. I decided it was best he wasn't involved tonight. He will continue to train with us. He hasn't asked to leave."
Speaking of his side's defeat against the Hammers, Martinez was left ruing what he felt were mistakes from the referee, most notably when the match official chose not award Everton a free-kick instead of an extra-time penalty when Kevin Mirallas was seemingly upended in the area.
"I thought the referee wasn't consistent at all," Martinez said. "I know that West Ham had a claim for a penalty. The referee saw that action.
"I have no justification how the referee didn’t see the Kevin Mirallas free kick is not in the box. Especially in an area where the linesman is looking at the action and maybe the linesman is the one giving the free kick.
"He should have seen he is in the box. I don’t understand that action."
