Barcelona ace Samuel Eto'o is set to turn down the cash at Manchester City.

The Daily Mail says the Barcelona striker will hold a press conference today and announce that he has rejected the chance to become the world's best-paid player on £180,000 a week net, after the clubs agreed a fee of £25million.

His agent Josep Maria Mesalles confirmed that he had coolled on the idea, saying: "Unless there is a 180 degree turnaround, he will stay at Barcelona."

But there could still be a glimmer of hope for City after it emerged Nou Camp president Joan Laporta will do his utmost to force the transfer through after being incensed by Eto'os stance.

With just 12 months left on his current contract, it is understood the Cameroon front-runner is looking for a signing-on fee of around £13million, on top of a wage increase, to sign a new deal.

Barcelona refuse to sanction such a package, and with Inter Milan also unable to meet his demands, he faces a battle of wills with Laporta, who wants to take City's money, rather than lose him for nothing next summer.