Atletico Madrid’s January deal for Edinson Cavani ‘complicated’

Atletico Madrid’s pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani is ‘complicated’ but a January move ‘is not ruled out’.

That is according to a new report in Marca, which claims that Paris Saint-Germain’s hopes of retaining the striker for the second half of the season is making them reluctant to sell cheaply.

Italian transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio claimed on Monday that a summer move is the most likely outcome, having also stated reported in December that a personal agreement has already been reached between Atleti and the striker.

Last week, Marca claimed that Cavani was ‘crazy’ about joining Atleti and that the Parisian club will not stand in the way of his departure should they receive an acceptable fee for the striker, who is out of contract in June.

It appears certain that Cavani will join Atleti but the question is whether or not they can clear their wage bill in time to facilitate the move this month, rather than in summer – when the player becomes a free agent.

A recent report in El Mundo Deportivo cited French claims that the player would command a €14m transfer fee and is currently on €18m in wages, making a January switch to Madrid ‘almost impossible’.

Atleti are said to be operating on virtually 100% of their La Liga salary cap and would not be able to clear the funds needed for the Uruguayan in winter.

However, multiple claims now suggest Thomas Lemar is set to leave the club this summer with Arsenal, Tottenham and Lyon all interested in a deal.

Cavani’s contract in the French capital expires next summer and he has scored 195 goals across his spell in the capital of France, where he is now in his seventh season.

The marksman has been with the Paris-based club since 2013 when he joined them from Napoli for a reported fee of €64m.

It has been claimed that he has rejected a move to MLS club Inter Miami in favour of remaining in European football.

Atleti have also been linked to other strikers including Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud and Timo Werner of RB Leipzig.

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