Napoli's official radio station Radio Marte has claimed a £49.3m deal had been struck with Chelsea for striker Edinson Cavani.
In a statement late on Monday evening Radio Marte announced: 'We have received news in the office from a very reliable source that Napoli have sealed a deal with Chelsea for Cavani's sale.
'Rafa Benitez also gave the all-clear, but before making the move official Napoli want to secure the striker who will replace Il Matador.
Aurelio de Laurentiis' club will pick up around €58m, a slight discount on the buy-out clause, which is the same situation as Ezequiel Lavezzi to PSG last year. 'The player will earn €8.5m per season plus image rights.'
The news broke as Cavani announced he wanted face to face talks with president De Laurentiis and reports that Manchester United were considering entering the race.
The Uruguay striker and his father have indicated that their preference would be to move to Real Madrid. The Spanish club have contacted Napoli but will now have to better Chelsea's offer should it be confirmed.
Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in signing the 26-year-old who was top scorer in Serie A last season with 29 goals.
The colourful De Laurentiis was quoted in the Italian media saying 'I'll smack him' if a conclusion over Cavani was not reached by July 20.
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| Most wanted: Man United and PSG are also keeping tabs on Cavani |
Speaking to Radio Rai, De Laurentiis said: 'Will I let Cavani go before August 10? I trust in the man, then if he doesn't want to it'll be a joke on me. However, I believe he is a real man and will therefore remain at Napoli. If he does decide to go, it will in any case be after the Confederations Cup. We will know everything by July 20. If not, I'll smack him!'
Cavani, though, speaking from the Confederations Cup, said: 'Those statements were strong and I didn't really like them very much. Now I want to speak with the president face-to-face, as I have done on numerous occasions in the past.'
Chelsea have shown a reluctance to bid near the asking price for Cavani and have so far offered players plus cash. Cavani's agent, Claudio Anellucci, cast doubt on the report saying: 'There is nothing closed with Chelsea.'
source:dailymail
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