Manchester United are believed to be closing in on a £25million deal for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o after their neighbours Manchester City bowed out of the race to sign the Indomitable Lions ace on Friday.

The News of the World claims that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has turned to the 28-year-old after missing out on top target Karim Benzema, who opted instead to join Real Madrid in a £30million deal, and will offer Eto'o a lucrative four-year deal, worth £150,000-a-week, in order to lure him to Old Trafford.

Ferguson is well aware that despite the signings of Michael Owen, Gabriel Obertan and Antonio Valencia he still needs to improve his playing staff and would ideally love to add a world-class finisher, as Eto'o certainly is, and a dominant midfielder given the the continuing injury problems of Owen Hargreaves.

United have earmarked Argentine wonderkid Sergio Aguero as another possible replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo but with Atletico Madrid insisting that the 21-year-old is not for sale, appear to have turned to Eto'o, who scored a stunning 36 goals last season as part of the 'Holy Trinity' that fired La Blaugrana to a historic Treble.

And with Eto'o reportedly informing Barcelona president Joan Laporta that he will leave the Camp Nou this summer after rejecting the club's offer of a new two-year contract, a move to the Theatre of Dreams appears to be his most likely destination.

Eto'o's agent, Jose Maria Masalles, has insisted that money is not the hitman's main motivation and that the prospect of adding more silverware to his trophy cabinet is more attractive.

"At 28 he wants to join a club which will give him another chance of winning trophies," he said.

"It can't be just about money. It has to be about the sporting project."