Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has insisted that star forward Edinson Cavani is not for sale, but admitted that a bid of €100 million could see the Uruguayan exit the Stadio San Paolo, the Daily Mail reports.
“Cavani is not for sale, but we could let him go for €100m (£78m),” De Laurentiis told Sky Sport Italia. “This is not his actual value, but his value to me and he won’t leave for less.”
The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to west London this summer, with the Blues eyeing a replacement for Champions League hero Didier Drogba who has since joined Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua.
Cavani bagged 33 goals and five assists in 48 appearances in all competitions for S.S.C. Napoli last term, including a goal and two assists in Napoli’s 3-1 win against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 on 21 February 2012.
Italian champions Juventus are also reportedly interested in Cavani, with rumours suggesting the Old Lady offered the Uruguay international a five-year deal worth 30 million euros earlier this summer. With that said, the 25-year-old’s current contract ties him to the Stadio San Paolo until June 2016.
Now then, will Chelsea spend €100 million to bring Edinson Cavani to Stamford Bridge?
AVB hands Modric £80k fine
According to the Daily Mail, new Tottenham Hotspur boss Andre Villas-Boas has fined Real Madrid transfer target Luka Modric £80,000 for refusing to train with the club.
Ironically, Modric tried to quit Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham Hotspur in favour of joining Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea FC last season.
Since then, Harry Redknapp has been relieved of his managerial duties, and AVB has been installed as the new Spurs manager. However, one thing has not changed, and that’s Modric’s desire to take his talents elsewhere.
The Croatian is now eyeing a move to European powerhouse Real Madrid, who are currently managed by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. The links to Chelsea FC continue.
Villas-Boas has seemingly come to terms with losing Modric, but that did not keep him from fining the midfield maestro a cool £80,000.
“He’s good, very good,” said AVB. “I tried to sign him last summer for Chelsea. He will be a big loss.
“He’s a player who can make the difference, who gives a lot of clarity to the play when the team needs it and who can play in several positions.”
Will Luka Modric be a Tottenham Hotspur player come 18 August 2012, when Spurs are scheduled to kick-off their 2012-13 English Premier League campaign against Newcastle Untied at the Sports Direct Arena?
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