By John Drayton

PUBLISHED: 04:05 EST, 14 September 2013 | UPDATED: 08:46 EST, 14 September 2013

Samuel Eto'o has admitted that he came within hours of joining Arsenal before he signed for Mallorca back in 2000.

The new Chelsea striker - then 19 - was allowed to leave Real Madrid after failing to make the breakthrough at the Spanish giants and Arsenal were in pole position for his signature.

But Eto'o had spent the second half of the 1999-2000 season at Mallorca and he has told The Sun that a chat with their coach Luis Aragones led to him signing permanently in a decision that 'changed everything'.

 VIDEO  Scroll down to see Mourinho discuss his plan to unleash Eto'o on Everton

Career path: Chelsea's new signing Samuel Eto'o has revealed he almost joined Arsenal earlier in his career

Career path: Chelsea's new signing Samuel Eto'o has revealed he almost joined Arsenal earlier in his career

in training: Eto'o at Cobham with his new team-mates last week

in training: Eto'o at Cobham with his new team-mates last week

Success: Eto'o chose Mallorca over Arsenal before moving to Barcelona in 2004

Success: Eto'o chose Mallorca over Arsenal before moving to Barcelona in 2004

'I met Luis (who went on to coach Spain) at a crucial moment in my life where I had to take the right direction - and thanks to him I did,' said Eto'o.

'I was about to sign that very afternoon at Arsenal and maybe I would never have been the player I am today. Luis picked me, then I ended up joining Barcelona. That decision changed everything.'

Eto'o spent four years at Mallorca before a transfer to Barcelona in 2004.

Peak: Eto'o enjoyed his best years at Barcelona, where he won three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues

Peak: Eto'o enjoyed his best years at Barcelona, where he won three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues

It was at Barca where Eto'o would reach his peak, winning two Champions League titles and three La Liga titles before linking up with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho at Inter in 2009.

The 32-year-old Cameroonian won a third Champions League medal at Inter before spending two years in Russia with Anzhi Makhachkala.

Eto'o joined Chelsea on a free transfer last month and is expected to make his debut at Everton on Saturday.

In line: Eto'o is expected to make his debut at Goodison Park

In line: Eto'o is expected to make his debut at Goodison Park

The comments below have not been moderated.

Bakss88 ndeipi mface. Ndangoona hiruhwese and was looking for the Katsande. Hahah true speak this cat would have scrubbed the bench big time during those years. Prolly a good thing he didn't come to Arsenal

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You forgot CR7 and Maradona.. "Eto'o, Ibra, Yaya, Drogba...Is there anybody of significance who didn't almost sign for Arsenal 10 years ago and didn't?", DanielNaphtalie, NY, United States

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Judging by his play so far he should of

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Yeah? Did you invent the wheel too?

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This is the same man I clearly recall dedicating two goals he scored against England for Cameroon( he did Sol Campbell both times) to Spurs supporters as he was close to joining them too! Take everything he says with a large dose of salt. Look it up it was a international before a tournament I think.

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Probably won more trophies at Mallorca than he would've done at Arsenal, let's be honest. - Whelanmk, Tripoli, Libya, 14/09/2013 10:11 Your deluded son why don't you go play with a grenade

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Let me tell you this. You would be world player of the year at least once in your life. So far you haven't and I doubt you will ever be.

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Lucky for him he didn't join, he'd have only been a sub as he wouldn't have displaced Henry or Bergkamp and could have wasted his career.

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Stop the hate comment!

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Wow, imagine where Arsenal would be today if they had signed Eto'o, Ibra and Toure. I can guarantee you their trophy drought wouldn't be as long

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