Post by jockcas on Jun 25, 2013 16:24:48 GMT
Chelsea are planning to open talks with Napoli this week over the signing of striker Edinson Cavani.
The 26-year-old finished the top scorer in Serie A last season and has also been targeted by Real Madrid and Manchester City this summer.
Napoli are demanding the 63m euros (£53.6m) release clause in his contract be met, but Chelsea are unwilling to pay the full asking price.
Former Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez, who is now in charge of Napoli, is believed to want Blues midfielder Ramires to move in the opposite direction as part of a player plus cash deal.
But Ramires has already revealed that new Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has contacted him to say he will be a part of the squad next term.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is determined to resolve Cavani’s future before the 63m euros clause in his contract runs out on August 10 and has set a deadline of July 20.
Cavani is believed to have made Real Madrid his first choice, but the Spanish club are also hesitating over the transfer fee, particularly as they continue to pursue priority signing Tottenham star Gareth Bale, despite Spurs' insisting he is not for sale.
Cavani said: "I don't think I'm worth €63m. I will have to talk to De Laurentiis about it. I owe a lot to Napoli and I want to leave through the front door if I move on.
"I am feeling very good at Napoli, but it all depends on the club. We will have to wait and see what options I have. What I want to do is sit down face-to-face with the club president and decide my future together.
"Real are one of the best clubs in the world, but there is no deal yet. When you're a kid, you dream about playing at a team like Madrid or Barcelona, but right now I'm at Napoli and I'm very proud to be there