The adjectives are now as inflated as the sums of money involved, with Barcelona claiming on Sunday that Manchester City had submitted a "stratospheric" offer to sign Samuel Eto'o.

But, on this occasion, it is not so much of an exaggeration with details emerging of the astonishing package that ambitious City have put together to lure the 28-year-old Cameroonian striker.

It is understood that Eto'o has verbally agreed to the move - having hoped there would be an intervention from Inter Milan, who have tried and failed to sell Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Chelsea - that will make him the highest-paid player in the Premier League and, maybe, the world. City hope to make an announcement later this week.

City lined up a significant bid for Eto'o in April with Barca president Joan Laporta flying to London to hold talks with City chief executive Garry Cook. City later claimed the meeting was about developing business links between the two clubs but that was never the case, as has been confirmed.

City have courted Eto'o for some time and believe he could prove to be the marquee signing that will help attract other big-name players. They will pay around £25 million ($A51.33 million) for Eto'o who will then earn staggering wages of £192,000 ($A394,000) a week after tax (which equates to $A33.88 million a year once tax is included). A four-year deal has been discussed.

Eto'o is already one of the world's best remunerated players, earning £128,000 ($A262,8000) a week after tax at the Nou Camp. With one year left on his present deal, it is one of the major reasons why Barca, despite their public protestations, are quite keen for Eto'o to leave - unless he agrees to a pay cut.

They want to make a move for David Villa having already bid for the Brazilian striker Keirrison, and have not given up on Franck Ribery either.

On Sunday, Laporta confirmed City's offer. "Eto'o has a stratospheric offer from City, which will convert him into the best-paid player in the world," he told the Catalan radio station, iCat FM.

"It is starting to become clear that he has a monster offer. He wants to stay but an offer like this is very difficult to refuse. If Eto'o accepts this stratospheric offer we will have to bring in someone else"

City are also said to be on the verge of signing Carlos Tevez for around $A56 million.

LONDON DAILY TELEGRAPH