Eto`o Eager To Extend Barcelona Stay

`I have learned to love Barcelona over the last few years although I have never hidden the affection I have for Real Mallorca`.

Samuel Eto'o has moved to dampen speculation about his Barcelona future, telling a local TV station he wants to stay at the club beyond the end of his contract in 2010.

"Of course I want to continue," Eto'o told Canal Catala. "I have learned to love Barcelona over the last few years although I have never hidden the affection I have for (former club) Real Mallorca."

The Cameroon international's future has generated a lot of media speculation after he told a French publication he had made up his mind over his future but would not reveal his intentions.

Barca told Eto'o he was surplus to requirements at the end of last season, before he convinced new coach Pep Guardiola to change his mind.

He has gone on to establish himself as the Primera Liga's leading scorer with 23 goals in the current campaign.

"I'm very happy and see no reason to leave," he said. "I'm going to stay to the end of my contract and if the club want me I would like to stay longer."

Eto'o was asked if he would ever consider returning to Barca's arch-rivals Real Madrid.

"If I leave one day it will not be to the Bernabeu," he said. "I could never hurt the Barca fans by doing that."