The 21-year-old prospect from Cameroon has moved on a permanent deal to Levante, despite those attentions.
Etta Eyong became the center of attention in the closing stage of last season when he scored a winner against Girona off the bench late on for Marcelino Garcia Toral. That goal improved his status in the team and this year the coach showed early faith in him again, and it was Etta Eyong who scored their first goal of the season against Real Oviedo, before adding an assist to it last the weekend against Celta Vigo.
The Barcelona and Everton interest that never turned to a deal
Though Eyong started the season well, his life never looked settled at Villareal this as his future was up in the air from the start of the campaign.
The move by the Yellow Submarine to bring in Georges Mikautadze from Olympique Lyon for a record fee and the signing of Tani Oluwaseyi from Minnesota United heightened matters and also confirmed Eyongs imminent departure.
Levante pounced
As all that was happening Levante prepared a 3m bid for the player, with a right of first refusal and a buyback option, as well as a 50 sell-on clause. Part of the equation was that Cadiz will earn 50 of this fee. Villareal accepted the offer and sanctioned the move.
Etta Eyong has become a new Levante UD player after the Orriols-based club reached an agreement with Villarreal CF for the strikers transfer, signing him for the next four seasons, Levante announced.
Hence Eyong left Villareal to commit his future to Levante till the summer of 2029.
Etta then penned an emotional farewell message, hinting he could be back one day.
It was a great adventure at this club. I will cherish the wonderful memories of the moments we shared. I wish everyone all the best. Thank you for all the camaraderie and support throughout this year. I leave with emotion, but Im sure our paths will cross again, said the Cameroonian.
There is a suspicion that the Yellow Submarine will try to buy the former Cameroon U23 back next summer.