Transfer rumours: Are Chelsea really pursuing Edinson Cavani?
Transfer season rumours are into reruns as Chelsea FC are yet again being linked with Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani.
Edinson Cavani is one of those players who pop up in Chelsea’s rumour list every transfer season. The run-up to the 2016/17 campaign is no different, as reports from the weekend have the West Londoners launching a £42 million offer for the Uruguayan.
To the delight and much relief of Chelsea fans after last season’s transfer debacle, the club is being linked with new players everyday. Although the sentiment is positive, a few grains of salt are always in order.
Chelsea already have a lethal strike force in Diego Costa and new arrival Michy Batshuayi. Loic Remy, assuming he stays with the club, is ready to fill in as necessary. While Loic Remy may not be the player Chelsea should trust when playing against quality opposition, he is a necessary contingency as grey clouds float over Diego Costa’s future at Stamford Bridge.
striker news: Atletico Madrid: Diego Costa 'is a Chelsea player'
Although Costa has not requested a transfer, his former club Atletico Madrid are keen to bring back Costa. The Blues have already firmly warned off the Spanish club, telling them not to bother with submitting another offer.
Atletico Madrid admit defeat in Diego Costa pursuit #CFC https://t.co/JBxwYoxIMr
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) July 20, 2016
Although things are looking good for Chelsea on the Costa front as of now, the club is planning backup options if the Costa situation goes south.
The Blues are in a three-way rumour battle for a striker as they are going after Romelu Lukaku, Alvaro Morata and now Edinson Cavani.
| Edinson Cavani | Alvaro Morata | Romelu Lukaku | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total appearances | 32 | 34 | 37 |
| Goals scored | 19 | 7 | 18 |
| Shot accuracy | 58% | 58% | 56% |
| Total chances created | 23 | 28 | 51 |
Edinson Cavani has been on Chelsea’s radar for some time. He is a prolific striker who has all the characteristics to bolster Chelsea’s striker force. He can lead the attack against quality opposition. He can hold the play and run at defenders creating space for himself in the 6-yard box. He is also good in the air, making him the complete forward Chelsea has lacked for several seasons.
Related Story: Obnoxious Alvaro Morata price may be necessary for Chelsea
Cavani always played second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimović in Paris Saint-Germain. Even so, he still managed 19 goals in 32 appearances last season – more than any of the Chelsea forwards last season. With Ibrahimović moving to Manchester United, PSG will be looking to make Cavani their central figure in attack, a position which the Uruguayan wanted since a long time.
With Cavani finally getting what he has wanted from his club and his club needing him more than ever, Chelsea will need to pay handsomely to make this transfer happen. Aside from the cost of replacing Cavani, PSG is looking to make a huge profit on his transfer fee, spotted at £67 million. The latest rumours show Chelsea low-balling – again! – their offer.
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Like so many other rumours, the Cavani-to-Chelsea variant is every bit as original as it is likely. That is to say, it is neither. Chelsea could get much more for £67 million than a Ligue 1 star. Given the intelligence and purpose behind Chelsea’s 2016 transfers so far, there is little reason to give this one more than a score of 2 out of 10.