Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has made it clear that the star striker Edinson Cavani will not be sold to Manchester City rather he would cherish the opportunity to see City’s much maligned striker Mario Balotelli partner the Uruguayan at Stadio San Paolo.
English media reported yesterday that Manchester City are looking to find a potential replacement for the controversial striker Balotelli as City’s hierarchies are losing out patience on him. Sporting director Txiki Begiristain has earmarked Napoli’s Cavani, who has been a long term target for manager Roberto Mancini to replace the Italian.
City already made a £45 million bid for the striker in summer but it was rebuffed although the player has hinted his desires to experience English football claiming it as an “exciting prospect.”
However in order to bankroll the signing of Cavani, City need to ship out a striker and the axe could fall on Balotelli, whose relationship with his manager has strained in recent months. The 22-year-old was involved in altercations with Mancini last week in training while he hasn’t been in best of form this season either.
Cavani on the other hand has been firing all cylinders for the Naples and notched up a hat-trick on Sunday night against Roma, bringing up his 20th goal of the season.
The Serie A giants – not looking to sell Cavani at the moment though – could become powerless if any top club triggers his £51 million release clause inserted in his contract.
When asked about the chances of Cavani leaving the club with Balotelli being the potential makeweight in the deal, De Laurentiis revealed his own idea, saying he would love to see Balotelli coming back to Italy and forging a strong partnership with his star striker at the club.
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