The ambitious Uzbek club flew the three-time African footballer of the year to Tashkent to discuss a multi-million dollar deal that would see Eto’o sign on for the remainder of their ACL campaign and the on-going domestic season.

However, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola announced at a press conference on Tuesday that Eto’o’s pre-season form had convinced him that there was still a place at the Camp Nou for the previously transfer-listed 27-year-old.

“I have decided he can stay, because of his wishes and mine,’ said Guardiola, who spent two seasons playing in Qatar with Al Ahli.

“I know that I said on my first day that I did not count on him, but I also said that I would treat him like any other player.

’His behaviour and attitude in Scotland and the United States have made me decide that he will remain with us. And, as well as that, he is a player with immense talent.”

Kuruvchi will be looking to put the disappointment of missing out on Eto’o behind them as they continue to prepare for their AFC Champions League quarter-final clash with Saipa, the first leg of which takes place in Iran on September 17.