A club official told this website that they expect the Cameroon international to pen a short-term contract this weekto allow him to appear in the Asian Champions League.

The transfer is reported to make Eto’o one of the highest earning players in the world if he accepts and his arrival in Uzbekistan has pushed the deal even closer.

"He is Tashkent and will sign a contract tomorrow," the Kuruchi official said. "He will sign for three or six month, we will have to see about that.

"It is a big signing in the world of football and, of course, for all people in Uzbekistan. He will play in the Asian Champions League and then we will see.

Eto’o international has been told that he is no longer part of Barcelona’s plans and along with the usual list of big name clubs aspiring to sign him was one unusual offer.

According to reports, Eto’o was offered the chance to become one of the best paid footballers ever with a contract worth €40m on the table if he chose to Uzbeikstan.

L’Equipe have quoted the club as denying that the amount is that high, ubt he did confirm that a bid had been made and it was now down to Eto’o to choose.

Eto’o was photographed (above right) disembarking from his flight to Uzbeikstan, where he will be given a tour and shown the local club’s facilities and what he could expect if he chose to move there.

It is an incredible story for a player that has also been linked with Milan, Inter, Arsenal and Chelsea and would see him put the Asian country on the map of world football.

Still on official summer holiday from Barça, Eto’o has stated that he will not discuss what he will do next publicly until he reports back to Camp Nou.

Negotiations have been planned and coach Pep Guardiola has hinted that if the player does not leave the club then he would be incorporated into the squad like any other player.

The Blaugrana hierarchy are not keen for that to happen with technical secretary Txiki Begiristain stating that his replacement was already being sought.