Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano has quashed talk that Samuel Eto'o could join Arsenal following Thierry Henry's switch to the Nou Camp.

 

Soriano has insisted striker Eto'o, 26, will be staying, despite being linked with a move to several Premiership clubs as well as AC Milan.

 

"He wants to stay and we want him to stay," Soriano told BBC Five Live.

 

"If things go right we will have him playing with Thierry Henry next season. Definitely, he is going to be staying."

 

Liverpool were believed to have been interested in Eto'o, whose Barcelona future came into question after run-ins with manager Frank Rijkaard and team-mate Ronaldinho last season. AC Milan also stated the Cameroon international was their number one transfer target.

 

Speculation also suggested Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could follow Henry to Barcelona and replace Rijkaard after the club ended the past campaign without a trophy.

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But Soriano said: "You never know in the future but not now. We have a coach, Frank Rijkaard, and we are very happy with him. We hope he will stay with us for many more years.