• by Joe Curtis, writing from Miami

Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala is on the verge of signing Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o. The deal is expected to be finalized on Monday and would cost Anzhi a reported $38.9 million. Anzhi is owned by Russian Oil Tycoon Suleiman Kerimov. Kerimov's net worth is $7.8 billion making him the 118th richest man in the world. He shares that title with Silvio Berlusconi, who is the current Prime Minister of Italy and owner of Italian Club AC Milan.

Being the 118th richest man in the world is really cool because you have lots of money, obviously. Samuel Eto'o thinks it is cool because he is expected to become the richest man in football. Yes, he will be #1. Above Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi who make $17.3m a season and $15.1m a season respectively. Samuel Eto'o will earn a mind blowing $28.8 million a season.

I guess this is why Eto'o is so excited to start playing. Forget the excitement of playing in the Russia's developing league, its all about the Benjamins, or who ever is on Russia's biggest bill (who turned out to be Nikolay Muravyov-Amursky after some quick research). I'd move to Russia for that kind of money.

Eto'o told the Gazzetta dello Sport: "Thank you to everyone. I will always support Inter and ask just one thing – win even without me."

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