Spanish publication El Mundo Deportivo claim Chelsea have beaten Real Madrid to the transfer of Napoli forward Edinson Cavani.
Chelsea have won the race to sign Edinson Cavani from Napoli, with Spanish publication El Mundo Deportivo reporting that the Blues have beaten Real Madrid to the Uruguayan.
The sports daily claim that Roman Abramovich is so close to finalising a deal that Jose Mourinho was almost able to announce the completion of the move in his press conference yesterday afternoon, his first since returning to Chelsea as manager, but that the transfer will be confirmed in the next few days.
Speaking about interest from both Manchester City and Chelsea, Cavani mentioned his respect for both coaches.
“I do not know if they [the two English clubs] offered something for me, but being coached by Pellegrini and Mourinho would certainly be a pleasure for me,” said Cavani.
It appears Real Madrid’s managerial uncertainty has scuppered their hopes of bringing the hard working striker to the Spanish capital, with question marks still over who will take the reins at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Cavani would be a sensational signing for Chelsea, and the 26 year-old Uruguay international comfortably topped the goalscoring charts in Serie A with 29 goals in his 33 starts for Napoli to win the Capocannoniere award.
His total could have been higher too, with five missed penalties for his club this season, and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho may be reluctant to Cavani spot kick duties should he move to Stamford Bridge.
Besides his record from twelve yards though, Cavani is the complete centre forward, and could strengthen the only remaining weakness in the Chelsea attacking line, as neither Fernando Torres or Demba Ba appear to have totally convinced of their prowess in front of goal.
Napoli have been insistent that any buying club must match Cavani’s 63 million Euro release clause (approximately £53.8m), but the colossal amount does not concern Cavani – even if it would Abramovich, who had his fingers burned somewhat when purchasing Fernando Torres for £50m.
“I’m used to hearing figures of all kinds,” said Cavani while on international duty with Uruguay.
“We’re talking about over 60 million euros (the clause), but the players live with these quantities at all times.”
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