Barcelona forward Samuel Eto’o has laughed off reports linking him with a move to Premiership leaders Chelsea this summer.

The 25-year-old Cameroon striker believes his name has cropped in recent days because his side are set to face Chelsea in the the Champions League next Wednesday.

“It’s only because the game is getting closer,” said the Cameroon star.

“If we advance and we play against Juventus, then they will say that coach Fabio Capello also wants me.”

Eto’o is the top scorer in Spain’s Primera Liga so far this season, with 18 goals.

He is on a shortlist of three for the African Footballer of he Year award – due to be announced on Thursday. Ironically, the two players looking to prevent him completing a hat-trick of triumphs are Chelsea duo Didier Drogba and Michael Essien.

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