Manchester United initiate contact with PSG to sign Edinson Cavani

Paris Saint-Germain FC v Olympique de Marseille - Ligue 1
Paris Saint-Germain FC v Olympique de Marseille - Ligue 1

Manchester United are considering presenting an official bid to PSG for Edinson Cavani, who is “extremely keen” on a move to Old Trafford, according to ESPN’s Miguel Delaney

Cavani’s representatives have initiated contact with the Red Devils board, and there is a growing feeling at United that a deal can be reached. 

United’s interest in the attacker dates back to David Moyes’ tenure at the club, with the former manager keen to sign the Uruguayan in 2013. 

PSG have previously been reluctant to sell Cavani, but the French champions could be interested in doing a business now, as they look to refresh their squad in the summer. 

Despite scoring 69 goals in 120 appearances for PSG in all competitions, Cavani has reportedly grown frustrated at being regularly used in a wide position. 

United have struggled to score enough goals this season. There is a genuine lack of pace and urgency in attack, and Louis van Gaal, the United manager, feels that Cavani may provide a solution to the striking problems. 

Skipper Wayne Rooney has failed woefully in effectively leading the line this season, despite producing stronger performances since January. 

Anthony Martial has the potential to develop into a world-class player in the future, but it is unfair to expect too much from him at this stage of his career. 

United feel they have forced their way back into the Premier League title race following their 1-0 win against Liverpool last week. And having Cavani as the focal point of their attack would only increase their chances of winning the title.  

Cavani turns 29 next month and he might not get another chance to play for a big European club again in the future. 

PSG would demand a fee in the region of €30-€40m for Cavani, which shouldn’t be a big problem for United. The problem lies elsewhere. 

Cavani, despite his vast talent, can only continue playing at his peak form for at best 2-3 years from now. With no high re-sale value, the deal could hurt United financially if the Uruguayan turns out to be a failure at Old Trafford. 

Although the move for Cavani has been likened to United’s move for Arsenal’s Robin van Persie, the truth is that Cavani will still need time to settle in while Van Persie was already an established Premier League star having spent most of his career at Arsenal.

There is no guarantee that Cavani will be a success at Old Trafford and the move, if it materialises, would be a significant gamble on Manchester United’s part. 

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