Sampdoria’s plans to sign Samuel Eto’o from Everton could be complicated by late interest from New York Cosmos, according to Sky sources.

The Italian club’s sporting director Carlo Osti said on Wednesday that an agreement with Eto’o had almost been finalised and that the 33-year-old wants to join Sampdoria.

Everton are yet to respond, and they are prepared to take their time and decide what is best for the club and the player.

For Sampdoria there is now an added complication that New York Cosmos, who play in the North American Soccer League, have shown interest in signing the former Inter Milan striker.

Eto’o, who has not travelled with the Everton squad to Qatar for warm weather training, moved to Merseyside from Chelsea in the summer and has netted four goals in 20 appearances.

Sky Italia previously reported that he would sign a two-and-a-half year contract with Genoa-based Sampdoria after agreeing to a 40 per cent drop in wages.