Atletico Madrid has given Diego Forlan permission to negotiate a possible transfer away from the Spanish club, with the Uruguay striker reportedly set to replace Samuel Eto'o at Inter Milan.

Atletico said Forlan won't feature in today's Europa League match at Guimaraes after asking coach Gregorio Manzano to omit him from the team "because he is evaluating the possibility of signing for another team."

Manzano approved the request.

Forlan has been linked with Inter with Eto'o set to join Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.

Forlan was voted the best player at last year's World Cup and has helped Atletico to Europa League and European Supercup triumphs since joining in 2007.

Anzhi meanwhile announced a deal with Inter for Eto'o on Tuesday that could make the Cameroon striker the highest paid footballer in the world.

"Today an agreement was reached between the football clubs Anzhi and Inter for the transfer of Samuel Eto'o. The terms of the transfer fully suited both sides," a statement on Anzhi's website said.

Anzhi said Eto'o was to undergo a medical exam later yesterday, after which he will be awarded a three-year contract.

Reports in Italy said Eto'o will be paid 20 million euros (US$29 million) net per season, eclipsing the estimated 12 million euros (US$17.4 million) that Cristiano Ronaldo earns at Real Madrid and the 10.5 million euros (US$15.2 million) that Lionel Messi is paid by Barcelona.

After a week of negotiations in Milan, the transfer fee was reportedly set between 25 and 27 million euros (US$36-US$39 million).

According to Anzhi, Eto'o will join his new club today to prepare for a match against FC Rostov.

Inter did not make any formal announcement. "Tomorrow the deal will be formalized," Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio said.

Anzhi, from the troubled southern Russian province of Dagestan, is owned by billionaire oil tycoon Suleiman Kerimov.