Cavani's mother says Atlético still possible if Cerezo apologises

Edinson Cavani could still move to Atlético Madrid despite Enrique Cerezo's comments after the Madrid derby on Saturday about the greed of the Uruguayan's family and those close to him. "It's a disgrace," he said. "The situation with some players' representatives and their families. We won't be cowed by those trying to rob us."

Atlético failed with a late bid after weeks of trying to convince PSG to sell the Uruguayan. Reports suggested his agent and brother, Walter, asked for a bonus to make the deal happen. Cerezo hinted at that with his comments but Cavani's mother says it's not true.

The players mother has spoken to AS, however, and says that there is still a chance of a move. "It's not impossible that Edinson goes to Atlético Madrid in the summer, if and when the president takes back what he said," said Berta Gómez. 

"We don't understand why the president said such nonsense," said Gómez. "It was out of place and it hurt us a lot. It is absoluely false to say that Walter (his brother and agent) asked for a fee from the signing. He should have told the fans why Cavani really didn't go to Atlético. It's because, firstly, PSG didn't want him to leave and secondly, Atlético never reached the amount PSG wanted when they negotiated."

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"My son did everything he could to go to Atlético," she said. "He put pressure on by not playing a PSG and told his brother (Walter, his agent) that he was willing to drop his wages to sign with Atlético. He wanted to play with Cholo and he showed that at every turn."

United, Chelsea and Inter Miami made bids for Cavani

She says that "Edinson didn't want monet to be the reason he didn't go, because if it was about money, he would have gone to Manchester United, Chelsea or Inter Miami, who made an big offer for him" and she says that he did everything he could including not playing for PSG, which is a "stain on his career."

The possibility of a move is not dead, however, but she does say: "The president has to apologise. We are not spiteful and everything can be fixed if he takes back what he said. My son will have offers, there's no doubt about that because he is a proven striker and has shown that for years."

"He would like to play for Cholo," she said.

Cavani and Atlético were linked for months and nothing transpired but the problem was PSG's unwillingness to let him leave. They can not stand in his way during the summer, however, as his contract expires. Maybe, then he will eventually get his wish to work under Simeone.