Atlético could hold the key to Neymar-Real Madrid deal
Real Madrid may find their pursuit of the Brazilian star scuppered if the Rojiblancos go for Edinson Cavani as a replacement for Antoine Griezmann. Jamaica vs USA: Gold Cup live
Le Parisien has again suggested that PSG fans are split on how they want their front line to look next season, with a large section of the Parc des Princes support coming down on the side of Edinson Cavani.
After the ruckus over penalty-taking duties at PSG earlier in the season was apparently solved the French daily has noted that fans of the Ligue 1 champions have always respected Cavani’s stance of putting the needs of the club ahead of his own personal ambition. From competing with Zlatan Ibrahimovic when the Swedish superstar was the king of Paris – which saw Cavani shunted out to the left to accommodate him – to his commitment to the cause, the Uruguayan has become a firm fan favourite during his time in the French capital.
However, Le Parisien notes that although Cavani has stated his desire to remain in Paris – “My future is at PSG,” he said recently – the club is under pressure to sell players this summer to meet FFP requirements and it could be the ideal opportunity for Cavani to leave as a PSG legend after helping the side to a domestic treble and becoming the club’s top scorer of all time this season.
Atlético could move for Cavani if Griezmann leaves
Atlético Madrid have a long-standing interest in Cavani and if, as is widely anticipated, Antoine Griezmann leaves the Metropolitano this summer, Diego Simeone will need an established striker to replace the France international. The main stumbling block to a deal for Cavani will be the player’s wages – he currently earns 19 million euros a season in Paris – and the fact that PSG will not let two of their star forwards leave in the same summer.
That means that the Ligue 1 side’s board will have to make a decision between parting with the fans’ favourite in Cavani or cashing in on Neymar, despite the Brazilian’s excellent form before suffering a broken foot and his marketing value to the club. An Atlético move for Cavani could force the issue, with the player set to have a meeting with the board in the coming days.
Another factor in the future of both players is the identity of the manager who will be in charge at the Parc des Princes next season. Unai Emery will not remain in Paris for the 2018-19 season and PSG are keen on former Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel, who will likely have a say in who leaves and comes in during the summer, a period that will see PSG trying to balance the book for FFP reasons.
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