The surprising financial collapse at Anzhi Makhachkala has turned Samuel Eto’o into the hottest name on the transfer market, with more and more teams flocking to sign him every day, as Manchester United also join the very long list of suitors.

According to Sky Sports Italia, the Premier League champions have contacted Eto’o and his agent, making them the second big-name Premier League side following Chelsea to show a real interest in the Cameroonian striker.

Obviously, England isn’t the only country with clubs showing some interest in Eto’o, who has also been strongly linked with a return to Inter Milan, where he had two excellent seasons before being sold to the Russian club, including winning the Serie A title and the Champions League in 2010 under Jose Mourinho.

While United aren’t known to being big spenders, under Moyes or previously, Eto’o shouldn’t cost very much (some are mentioning around £5 million) to sign. The only issue will be his contract, but if Eto’o wants to make a return to a prominent European league, he’ll probably take a very hefty paycut.

Does he fit with Manchester United? It doesn’t seem like striker is the position they most need strengthening in, and Eto’o doesn’t strike me or anyone else as the kind of player who’ll be willing to sit on the bench and wait for an opportunity behind Robin van Persie.

On the other hand, he’s not the supporting striker type, and United don’t play in a 4-3-3 similar to the style of Barcelona or Inter where Eto’o found most of his success. Moyes himself rarely uses two strikers in a lineup, so at first glance at the player and the team, it’s hard to see how he fits in if his role will be to do more than just sit on the bench and wait for an opportunity.

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