Manchester United and Manchester City are going head-to-head for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o.

The Daily Star Sunday says City chief executive Garry Cook has already held talks with the Cameroon hitman after Nou Camp chiefs gave the go-ahead for his departure.

City boss Mark Hughes is a huge admirer of Eto'o, 28, who has just a season left on his contract and fancies a new challenge in the Premier League.

Sir Alex Ferguson, though, has identified the Barcelona striker as the goal-getter to fill the scoring boots vacated by Cristiano Ronaldo following his £80m move to Real Madrid.

Eto'o's lawyer Josep Maria Mesallas has revealed that three English clubs are the favourites to sign his man - City, United and Liverpool.

But Mesallas doesn't believe that Kop boss Rafa Benitez has the financial clout to compete with the Manchester clubs.