Samuel Eto'o is virtually certain to snub Manchester City's "stratospheric" offer.
City confirmed a £25million bid had been lodged for the Cameroon star and were hopeful of concluding the transfer soon. However, it seems that rather than accept the riches of offer at City, Eto'o is preparing to see out the final year of his contract before leaving Barcelona for nothing next summer.
"If there is not a 180-degree turnaround then he will stay with Barcelona," Eto'o's agent Josep Maria Mesalles told ONA FM.
The news will undoubtedly come as a blow to City boss Mark Hughes, who is due to return from a family holiday on Tuesday.
Having missed out on Kaka last January, it would continue to prove City will struggle to attract the marquee signing their Abu Dhabi-based backers have been looking for without the added lure of Champions League football.
Even the long-touted capture of Carlos Tevez will not be taken for granted until the Argentina star has signed on the dotted line at some point after July 1.
Hughes will continue to strive to bring in fresh faces, although he may have to increase his valuation of £15million to prise Everton defender Joleon Lescott away from Goodison Park.
Reports in Spain also suggest a £3.5million offer for Espanyol right-back Sergio Sanchez - a former team-mate of current City star Pablo Zabaleta.
It is certainly expected Hughes will have made more purchases before City head to South Africa for a three-match tour later this month.
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