Cameroon striker Samuel Eto`o Fils has hit out at officials of Real Madrid for trying to scupper a possible transfer to arch-rivals Barcelona.
"For some time I have wanted to wear the Barcelona shirt and help them in their pre-season preparations," he said in a letter to Sport, a Barcelona-based newspaper, on Wednesday.
"But that hasn`t been possible because of the obstacles that have been placed in my path by a club that you all know well.
"It`s a club that I don`t want to return to because they never showed any faith in me and are now blocking my future progress," Eto`o said.
The African Player of the Year, co-owned by Real Mallorca and Real Madrid, assured Barcelona fans that he would be joining the club in the near future.
"Today I feel like a Barcelona player," said the
23-year-old.
"For reasons that have nothing to do with me the deal has been delayed for a few days, but don`t worry because joining Barca is still my overwhelming desire."
The Catalan club has reported to have offered US$27.01 million for the striker but Real Madrid have not decided on whether to accept a 50 percent share of the fee or exercise their option to buy out the player`s contract in full.
Madrid-based sports papers Marca and AS have both reported that Real are keen to use Eto`o as part of a deal to sign Liverpool striker Michael Owen.
"There is still time to decide if we will use our option on the player," Real sporting director Emilio Butragueno was quoted as saying by Sport.
"We are thinking over what to do, but whatever decision we make it will be the best one for Real Madrid."
