Sampdoria close in on Samuel Eto'o

Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has revealed that he is close to finalising a deal for Everton forward Samuel Eto'o this month.

Speculation is rife that the Serie A club will sign the out-of-favour Toffees striker before the winter transfer window closes.

The Blucerchiati coach Sinisa Mihajlovic recently refused to discuss the prospective deal, but Ferrero says that the Premier League side now just have to greenlight the switch.

"I've met the lad, he's a champion," Ferrero told RAI Sport. "We're waiting on the okay from Everton."

The 33-year-old Eto'o, who joined Everton on a Bosman after spending last season with Chelsea, has 18 months to run on his contract at Goodison Park.