Barcelona president Joan Laporta is ready to take charge of negotiations over a new contract for Samuel Eto'o. Sport says Laporta intends to secure Eto'o signature on a new deal before the beginning of July.

Eto'o and Barca are in agreement over the length of contract - four years - which will see the Cameroon striker playing at the Nou Camp until he is 33 years old.

Barca are also willing to entertain the terms Eto'o is demanding - £8 million-a-year. The board concedes the striker is underpaid for his status in the game and are ready to award him a significant pay-hike.

However, despite Eto'o's demands, he won't be made the club's highest paid player - which will remain Lionel Messi.