Barcelona prepared to wait for Real Madrid over Eto'o

Barcelona won't push Real Madrid over their bid to sign Mallorca striker Sammy Eto'o.

Though Tuesday's deadline for Real to match Barca's £16 million offer for the African came and went, Barca are happy to wait until Friday - which is the deadline Real are insisting they're working to.

Real sports chief Emilio Butragueno said: "We are not in a hurry. The term finishes Friday and we will build up to it."

Barca have already spoken with Mallorca to confirm they are prepared to pay £16 million for Eto'o and will do so once given the all-clear. Eto'o's lawyer, Jose Maria Mesalles, has also told Mallorca that they have fulfilled their side of the agreement and that the striker now regards himself as a Barca player.

Everything is now left to Real Madrid. If they fail to come up with the £8 million to match Barca's offer for Mallorca's 50 per cent of Eto'o's registration, then the African will move to the Nou Camp on Friday.