Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani is a top Barcelona transfer target.
Manchester United star Edinson Cavani only wants to join Barcelona on a short-term contract, according to reports. The striker is being eyed by the Catalan giants following the sudden retirement of Sergio Aguero. And with Ralf Rangnick’s squad stacked with attacking talent, a move to the Nou Camp is now edging closer.
Manchester United signed Cavani in the summer transfer window of 2020 after missing out on Jadon Sancho, who was their preferred target.
And while the Uruguay international took a while to get going, he ended the season with 17 goals to his name across all competitions.
Cavani went into the current campaign expecting to start most matches under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, particularly after signing a new contract in May.
But the striker has struggled for action so far.
Injuries haven’t helped, with Cavani last featuring in the 2-2 Champions League draw with Atalanta last month.
Yet neither has the Hollywood homecoming of Cristiano Ronaldo, with the 36-year-old guaranteed to start most matches up top.
Barcelona are now eyeing Cavani, with the La Liga titans hopeful he’ll join as a replacement for Aguero.
Aguero has been forced to retire early after being diagnosed with a heart condition, just months after moving to Catalonia from Manchester City.
And Marca now say Cavani is ready to accept Barcelona’s offer to join.
However, it’s stated by the publication that the 34-year-old only wants to move to the Nou Camp until the end of the campaign and no longer.
That, most likely, is because Cavani has long dreamed of returning to South America with links to Boca Juniors and Corinthians both arising.
Back in May, when his Old Trafford contract was winding down, the former Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain star was preparing himself to move.
But he ended up staying after a stirring end to the season, scoring in the Europa League final defeat to Villarreal.
Boca legend Dario Felman said earlier in the year that Cavani should leave United for the ‘best club in the world’.
“If Cavani’s dream is to play for ‘Boca Juniors‘ he should go for it because ‘Boca’ is the best club in the world, as far as I’m concerned and on every level,” Felman told Tribal Football.
“It’s the perfect age for him to go. Look at Daniele de Rossi, the Italian player, who achieved his dream of playing for ‘Boca Juniors‘ in the final stage of his career.
“Boca are a very demanding club and the fans are too.
“If Cavani does go to Argentina, I know he will be going there to give his all. He won’t be there to have his photograph taken with all and sundry, he is Uruguayan!
“He will be giving everything he has got, as always.
“Cavani has scored decisive goals for Manchester Utd and they ended up high in the table and got to Europa League final too.”
Cavani isn’t the only player who could leave United in January.
Anthony Martial could be cut loose with Barcelona, Juventus, Newcastle and Lyon all in the frame to snap him up.
Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood have also been linked with moves away, though it’s hard to see Rangnick sanctioning an exit for either player.
Jesse Lingard’s contract expires at the end of the season but United are ready to offload the playmaker next month should they receive a suitable offer.
Likewise Paul Pogba, whose own deal is due to expire in the summer.
