Edinson Cavani could be on his way to Manchester City, after Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentis hinted at a swap deal with Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko.
The Uruguayan is believed to have been a City target for some time and has a £54million release clause in his contract.
However, film producer De Laurentis conceded during a visit to London that sporting director Riccardo Bigon is exploring a swap deal.
“Yesterday I was in London with (managing director Andrea) Chiavelli and Bigon and for a simple reason: I have to prepare for the release of the film about Steve Jobs,” he said.
“However, I told Bigon, ‘Go to City and take the chance to negotiate over Dzeko and see what they are willing to do for Cavani’.”
Towards the end of the January transfer window 26-year-old Cavani appeared to call on suitors to take him away from Napoli.
He told Gazzetta dello Sport his reported release clause should not discourage interested parties from making a bid for the striker.
“If a club has a clear project and they want to focus on me, they can’t be frightened in front of this figure,” he said.
“For now, I’m not thinking about [my future]. Then it will be up to the club to take into consideration what should be done.”
Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini is expected to replace Roberto Mancini, who was sacked this month, at the Etihad Stadium in the coming weeks.
He is thought to be interested in signing playmaker Isco and tricky winger Jesus Navas, but the option to sign Cavani would be tough to pass up.
Image courtesy of Sky Italia, via YouTube, with thanks.
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