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Edinson Cavani: I don’t know what will happen next season

By Jack Williams

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Reported Manchester United transfer target Edinson Cavani has been speaking about his future at French champions Paris Saint-Germain, with the possibility very much open that he could be off to the Premier League.

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The Uruguay striker moved to PSG from Napoli in a £55million deal but has failed to settle; with issues over his position affecting his form.

Cavani has often been used in wide areas to accommodate the talisman that is Zlatan Ibrahimovic which has both frustrated the Uruguayan striker as well as led to some sub-par performances. He maintains this move from the central position is the reason behind his recent form.

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He has also been under pressure to deliver because of PSG’s own transfer dealings, with their sights set on a number of possible strikers, he’s place in the team is under threat. To save it, he needs to play well fast. If not, he either gets moved out or leaves on his own accord.

His transfer fee was the largest in Ligue 1 history, surpassing the fee for current Manchester United loanee Radamel Falcao to join Monaco, and Cavani proved this fee by winning the Ligue 1 and Coupe de la Ligue in his first season at the club. But he now says he has had an “impact” on his performances in a difficult following season.

By impact on his performance, Cavani has hit 25 goals in all competitions this season, hardly a bad return. He has played 48 games and started their entire Champions League campaign. One of those Champions League games saw him find the net within 56 seconds against Cypriot side APOEL. So it is not so much an issue of not being picked; he just isn’t happy about where he is being picked to play.

Obviously not playing in his preferred position does not make Cavani play any better but is it really an excuse? If he does sign for Manchester United, he could very well find himself being shifted around the field by the ever-unpredictable Louis van Gaal. Indeed, any forward thinking position is open for Cavani whether he likes it or not.

His desire to play as a central striker has fueled the talk of him leaving PSG for pastures new. If he does leave, the French side will want a fair share of their money back so prices will be high. It would also be somewhat of a gamble, given the failure that Falcao has been. Cavani is not on top form and has been playing in a pretty comfortable league. Falcao was in the same position and it has not worked out for him or Manchester United.

Still, it would be a good addition to the United squad nonetheless if he does sign and the quotes indicate he is at least thinking about leaving PSG. If he is moved to a more central role, he may be appeased and decide to stay. This seems unlikely given Zlatan Ibrahimovic is given priority and the team is essentially built around him.

Cavani Sr. has also had his say on the debate:

Cavani could be good late in games as an impact substitute or when the tactics are changed completely and long-balls are the only option although that is Fellaini’s job. He’s also shown difficulty in pairing up with another striker, evident with his move out to accommodate Zlatan, something that could create more issues if he were forced to play alongside Wayne Rooney, or new signing Memphis Depay.

So to summarise, the future is not clear – but it could be much clearer sooner rather than later.

Next: Gareth Bale transfer deal ruled out?