Manchester City 'to bid for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani' during summer transfer window

Napoli's Edinson Cavani is apparently a target for the Premier League champions

Napoli's Edinson Cavani has scored 18 goals in Serie A this season and could command a fee of £52m (Getty Images)

Manchester City look set to open negotiations with Napoli for their Uruguayan goal-machine Edinson Cavani, according to reports.

Under Uefa’s fresh financial fair play guidelines, City manager Roberto Mancini will look to sell at least four players and freshen his star-studded squad this summer according to the claims.

Mancini opened talks with Napoli about their 25-year-old striker in January but were put off by his £52m release clause, according to the Daily Mail.

Cavani is Serie A’s top goal-scorer this season with 18 goals and is spearheading Napoli’s Champions League qualification hopes. Napoli are currently in second place – five points behind defending champions Juventus.

Both Cavani and his club are aware of City’s intentions to pursue the possibility of a transfer during the summer transfer window. However, the Premier League champions are likely to face competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid for his signature. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has also spoken about his admiration for the player.

Mancini missed out on signing Robin van Persie last summer with the Dutchman opting to join their closest rivals United instead. The City manager has admitted his frustration on missing out on van Persie and despite an overwhelming array of attacking options already at his disposal, is keen to add another striker to his squad.

With 67 goals in 89 appearances for Napoli, Cavani will fit the bill.

It's reported that Edin Dzeko will make way and a bid of £25m from a number of interested German and Italian sides would be enough for Mancini to let him go.

City will also be looking to sign a centre back and a defensive midfielder with Celtic’s £10m-rated Victor Wanyama a likely target.