It seems that Napoli are no longer deluding themselves about being able to keep Edinson Cavani this season, but they’re trying to make the most in financial gain, which apparently leaves Real Madrid alone in the race to sign the striker.
Until last week, Manchester City seemed like the closest team to sign the striker, but their refusal to meet with Napoli’s demands – paying the full amount of his release clause, standing at £54 million (€63 million), has moved them out of the way. City attempted a few exchange deals in order to try and lower the price while getting rid of players of their own, but couldn’t make Napoli and president Aurelio de Laurentiis budge.
According to de Laurentiis, Real Madrid are the only team to have made a firm offer for Cavani, while City were simply trying to find ways and lower the price, but Napoli weren’t interested in any of the players offered. Now it’s up to Cavani to decide, once he returns from Brazil, if leaving to Real Madrid, usually the top choice for most players, is what he wants as the next step in his career.
Real Madrid still haven’t sold Gonzalo Higuain, but it looks like too much murky water has passed under that bridge, and the Argentine striker will be leaving, most likely to Arsenal, although according to Higuain’s father, Juventus are still in the race to sign him, and it’s all about the people close to Higuain trying to pull him in different directions.
Cavani has been one of the most productive strikers in Europe over the last few seasons, scoring 104 goals in 138 matches for Napoli since arriving in 2010, including helping them reach the Champions League twice and win the Coppa Italia, beating Juventus in the final, in 2012.
He has been disappointing in his form so far for Uruguay in the Confederations Cup, not scoring in the first two matches of the tournament.