Samuel Eto'o is on the brink of a sensational move to reigning Premier League champions Manchester United.

The Barcelona striker had been discussing terms with United's bitter rivals Manchester City, and a move to Eastlands was expected to happen sooner rather than later.

However, City have since ended all interest in the Cameroon international and, according to reports in the News of World, Eto'o is now willing to take a substantial pay cut in order to continue playing his football at the very highest level.

Eto'o's proposed transfer to City came to an end after the Premier League became annoyed over Eto'o's stalling, despite reportedly agreeing to the forward's £180,000-a-week wage demands.

The 28-year-old, who has had a £25million price tag slapped on him by Barca, was also understood to have been asking for £12million of his transfer fee.

Sources close to the player now believe that Eto'o would be willing to drop those particular demands if a team of United's calibre were interested in signing him, a move that would, so the former Mallorca favourite believes, give him a better shot at winning trophies than City can offer.

Agent Jose Maria Masalles told the paper: "At 28 he wants to join a club which will give him another chance of winning trophies.

"It can't be just about money. It has to be about the sporting project."

United are thought to be set to offer Eto'o a four-year deal worth some £150,000-a-week.