English clubs will have to spend big to bring in Napoli striker
Published:Edinson Cavani’s red-hot form for Napoli has made him one of the most revered forwards in European football this season, and Manchester City and Chelsea head the list of clubs desperate to sign him in the summer.
Ahead of Napoli’s visit to Stamford Bridge tonight, Cavani has racked up 41 goals in just 57 Serie A games since his switch from Palermo, whilst he has also hit five goals in seven Champions League appearances this season.
Such ruthlessness in front of goal is coveted by Man City boss Roberto Mancini, who desperately wants four world class strikers within his ranks, and is still likely to offload the troublesome Carlos Tevez in the summer.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are desperate for a younger natural goalscorer as Didier Drogba enters his 34th year, and Fernando Torres continues to misfire in front of goal.
Although it may appear far-fetched for the Blues to make a move for Cavani ahead of the summer, owner Roman Abramovich may decide that he would fund a move for the striker, particularly if he impresses against Chelsea tonight, as he did when scoring in the first leg.
However, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has insisted that the Italian club do not want to sell their leading talents, and that only an astronomical bid would tempt them to do business.
“Right now everyone wants Cavani and Lavezzi but we are not looking to sell,” he said ahead of their trip to London.
“We are not using our players for the transfer market. But if some crazy guy wants to put down £100million, then, maybe.”
What would seem more likely though, is a fee of around £40million being enough to gain De Laurentiis’ and Napoli’s attention, and such finances would likely be available to each English club being linked with Cavani.
His national team boss has encouraged Cavani to step up to a league the calibre of the Premier League and it could be only a matter of time before the physical forward makes the switch.
