Europe’s top clubs will have a keen eye on goings on in Paris over the next few months. The feud between Neymar and Edinson Cavani at PSG has escalated to the point that there have been reports of the former wanting rid of the latter.
Whether it is simply media hyperbole, or whether there is an irredeemable conflict between the two, it could be that the Ligue 1 club look to offload the Uruguayan forward regardless, simply to comply with FFP.
And there will undoubtedly be plenty of suitors waiting for an opportunity to sign the prolific striker. Here are five potential destinations should Cavani leave PSG in the near future.
5. Chelsea
A move to the Premier League, given the money available for the clubs at the top of the division, would not be overly surprising.
Cavani has been heavily linked to Chelsea since the well-documented set-piece disputes with Neymar in PSG’s 2-0 win over Lyon. The Blues have seen Diego Costa return to Atletico Madrid for a reported £58m, and could look to use those funds to improve their attacking options.
Alvaro Morata has been excellent since his arrival from Real Madrid, scoring six goals in six appearances, so goals are not an issue. But Antonio Conte has previously often played with two strikers, and could be eyeing a potentially lethal partnership.
4. Everton
It may seem extraordinarily unlikely that one of the game’s most prolific strikers would up sticks for Goodison Park, but that has not stopped the rumours surfacing.
And Everton are certainly not short of cash. Marca reported that the Toffees attempted to lure Diego Costa to Merseyside – prior to his move to Atletico Madrid – with a €75m bid.
He turned them down, but it’s evidence that there is still plenty left in the bank. The club have been criticised for not adequately replacing Romelu Lukaku, so perhaps Cavani could be their next target.
3. Napoli
Inevitably there has been mention of a former club, but perhaps Cavani will look to follow in the footsteps of Costa.
The 30-year-old played for the Italian club from 2010-2013, scoring over 100 goals in all competitions, before moving to the French capital in a £55m deal.
Whether Napoli have the funds required to bring him back to Stadio San Paolo is not clear, but they are said to be keeping tabs on his situation. A return to Serie A could be the sentimental option for Cavani.
2. Borussia Dortmund
The German club are another said to be monitoring Cavani’s status at PSG, with doubt still shrouding the future of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
If the prolific Gabonese forward, who has already scored eight goals in the Bundesliga this season, leaves the club in the imminent future, there will be a significant vacancy left to fill in attack.
Maximilian Philipp has made an excellent start to life in the North Rhine-Westphalia, but Dortmund will be aware that an Aubameyang replacement is essential.
1. AC Milan
Given AC Milan’s lavish spending on numerous high-profile players in the summer, it is no surprise that they are reportedly interested in Cavani.
The Rossoneri have not been overly prolific so far this season, scoring ten goals from their opening six Serie A games. No player in the squad has found the net more than twice, so an out-and-out goalscorer will certainly be on the club’s radar.
Cavani could be that man; Milan will almost definitely be in the race should he become available.
Let’