Edinson Cavani in talks over Napoli future as Chelsea hover

Italian club president De Laurentiis refusing to sell striker for less than £53.6m release in his contract

Edinson Cavani (GETTY IMAGES)

Chelsea are having to play a waiting game over the chance to sign one of their main summer transfer targets, Edinson Cavani.

Following Uruguay's defeat by Brazil in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup last night, the Napoli striker is returning to Italy for talks with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Chelsea have competition from Manchester United and Manchester City, who are looking for another striker following the sale of Carlos Tevez to Juventus yesterday, while Real Madrid are also in the hunt.

It is understood that United are Cavani's first choice should he get the opportunity to move to the Premier League.

De Laurentiis is refusing to sell the 26-year-old Cavani for less than the £53.6million release clause written into his contract and none of the interested clubs, including Chelsea, are willing to pay such a high fee.

The situation has left Cavani in an awkward position after his mother revealed earlier in the year that he wants to leave the Serie A club.

De Laurentiis has been very outspoken about Cavani in recent weeks and the forward wants the situation to be resolved.

He said: "I love Naples. It's my town and my heart is there. But when I was here in Brazil I've heard untrue rumours and things about me.

"For this reason, now I want to talk as soon as possible with president De Laurentiis. We must clear ourselves. I'll talk with him, as it's done between men, really soon."

Cavani's transfer is not the only one Chelsea are struggling to tie up because their pursuit of Vitesse Arnhem midfielder Marco van Ginkel has also hit a hitch.

Ajax have renewed their efforts to sign Van Ginkel, who is believed to be worried about missing out on a World Cup place in Holland's squad should he not get much first-team football at Chelsea.

Vitesse aren't keen to sell to their domestic rivals and are still yet to receive an offer close to their £15m valuation.

Speaking about Van Ginkel's concern regarding a move to Stamford Bridge, his agent, Karel Jansen, said: "We are trying to figure out what the sporting opportunities are for Marco at Chelsea. It is especially important Marco plays next year. An agreement is therefore not made."

The situation has been made more complicated because Jansen admits he doesn't know who is running things at Vitesse.

He added: "It is crazy that we know nothing. It is unclear who is in charge at Vitesse. Erwin Kasakowski is now no longer a director, Joost de Wit has just been employed."

Meanwhile, Valencia have joined Celta Vigo in the chase to secure Chelsea midfielder Oriol Romeu on loan for next season, while PSV Eindhoven are close to agreeing a deal to sign Jeffrey Bruma.