Chelsea are preparing an improved offer for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani after their opening £40million bid was rejected.
Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis insisted he will not sell Cavani for less than his £53m release clause and, while discussions will continue this weekend, there were indications yesterday that Jose Mourinho may use Fernando Torres as part of the deal.
Cavani wants £256,000 a week at his next club, which would make him Chelsea’s best-paid player.
His preferred move would be to Real Madrid, but the Spanish club are yet to make an offer.
Manchester City will eagerly await developments, because Cavani is their No 1 target, with club officials already agreeing to meet his wage demands.
Chelsea have also made a strong enquiry for Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic, who has a £25.5m release clause.
Arsenal are keen on the Montenegro forward, too, and have held talks with Fiorentina.
Chelsea are confident of landing Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala in the coming weeks.
Napoli manager Rafa Benitez plans to spend part of the money from Cavani’s pending sale on a move for Edin Dzeko, who looks set to leave City this summer.Mourinho has also shown firm interest in Dzeko but his moves for Cavani, Jovetic and Brazil international Hulk mean the Bosnian is less of a priority. – Daily Mail