Chelsea will begin talks with Napoli over the transfer of star striker Edinson Cavani, according to the Italian club’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Napoli striker Edinson Cavani after the Serie A club’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed he expected talks to begin today.
“There is interest from Chelsea in Cavani, they’ll call me in the next few hours,” said De Laurentiis to Radio Marte, as reported by Sky Sports.
“I’ll be delighted if he stays, but if he leaves then he will be adequately replaced.”
The Uruguay international won the Capocannoniere last season, the award for the most goals in Serie A, and his 29 goals and four assists were vital in Napoli’s push for a second place finish.
Since signing for Napoli from Palermo in 2010, Cavani has proved himself one of the most lethal strikers in world football, and 104 goals in 138 appearances is clear evidence of that.
Chelsea have Fernando Torres and Demba Ba as their two senior orthodox strikers, but the pair have not proved as prolific for the Blues as they have for their former clubs Liverpool and Newcastle United respectively.
Jose Mourinho is renowned as a ruthless coach – see his dropping of Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas for Real Madrid last season – and if he does not deem either Torres or Ba of the requisite quality it would be no surprise to see a deal for Cavani.
The Uruguayan’s minimum release clause is well known, and at 63 million Euros (approximately £53.5m) he will not come cheap, but he provides intense work rate and skill as well as his goals.
Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also thought to be interested in signing Cavani this summer.
COMMENTS