Samuel Eto'o might leave Chelsea this summer after failing to see the funny side of Jose Mourinho's mocking comments over his age, reports the Sun on Sunday.
The Cameroonian striker has been the butt of jokes since Mourinho was filmed speculating about his true age. Eto'o turned 33 on March 10, but Mourinho had suggested that he could be older than he claimed - a stereotype of professional players from African countries.
Mourinho, who did not know he was being filmed at the time, said: "The problem is I like a scorer. I have Eto’o but he is 32, maybe 35, who knows?"
Eto'o seemed to see the funny side of it, even paying homage to the comments during a recent goal celebration, but he has since become the butt of jokes and is ready to walk out as a result.
Mourinho was willing to discuss a renewal of Eto'o's one-year contract at Stamford Bridge, reported to be worth around £7m (£135,000-a-week) but only if the player agrees to a pay-cut. However, Eto'o, who only joined from Anzhi Makhachkala in the summer, will be looking to leave the Premier League after only one season.
He is reportedly to be considered a return to former team Real Mallorca, where he first broke into first team football. A return to the south of Spain would most likely mean an end to Eto'o's involvement in the Champions League as the club are currently serving a three-year ban from Uefa competitions.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is thought to be considering a move for at least one major striker this summer regardless of whether Eto'o stays of goes. Both Edinson Cavani and Radamel Falcao have been linked with summer moves to Stamford Bridge in recent weeks.
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