Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

'Working for Manuel Pellegrini or Jose Mourinho would be a great pleasure': Edinson Cavani opens door to Chelsea or Manchester City switch

The Napoli striker is one of the most coveted players in Europe

Monday 10 June 2013 16:24 BST
Comments
Napoli's Edinson Cavani has scored 18 goals in Serie A this season and could command a fee of £52m
Napoli's Edinson Cavani has scored 18 goals in Serie A this season and could command a fee of £52m (Getty Images)

Edinson Cavani would relish the chance to work with returning Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and incoming Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini and has admitted talking to clubs about a summer move.

The 26-year-old Napoli striker is a reported target for Chelsea, who have reinstated Mourinho at Stamford Bridge after a six-year absence, while English runners-up Manchester City have also been linked with an approach for Serie A's top scorer.

Cavani is among the most highly-rated strikers in Europe having hit 29 goals for Napoli in the 2012-13 season and, despite being under contract at the Stadio San Paolo until 2017, he confessed he would enjoy linking up with Portuguese Mourinho in London.

The Uruguayan would also consider collaborating with Chilean tactician Pellegrini, who claims to have a verbal agreement in place to become City's next manager.

Speaking at Uruguay's pre-Confederations Cup retreat in Brazil, he told Sky Sports News: "The Special One? It would be a pleasure to be managed by someone like him.

"Chelsea? I don't know if they've made an offer for me but I know that working for a coach like Pellegrini or Mourinho would be a great pleasure.

"It would certainly be a great honour to join one of the illustrious teams that are looking at me because I dreamed about doing that as a child.

"At the moment, though, I am only focused on Uruguay."

Cavani will definitely make a connection with a one-time Chelsea boss when he returns for pre-season training with Napoli, given Rafael Benitez has agreed to take control at San Paolo from the beginning of July.

The Spaniard spent seven months as interim boss in west London and his first task will be trying to persuade the prolific Uruguayan to prolong his three-year stint in Naples.

"I don't know if Benitez's arrival could affect my future," Cavani added. "Today I have a contract with Napoli but, at the same time, I'm talking to other teams.

"Things are bit uncertain at the moment. The only certain thing is that I belong to Napoli and I'm concentrating on Uruguay because we have a tough tournament like the Confederations Cup.

"After these engagements I will think about my future.

"I'm relaxed at the moment because I've endured rumours about having signed for other teams throughout my career, when it hasn't been true.

"People talk about big sums of money, about sales, about loan moves, and I'm used to it. I know that people like talking about big numbers but I have to stay honest and focus on the present.

"There are other things than football. I'm staying down to earth, happy, and relaxed and we will see what happens."

Related articles...

The full transcript

No need for feuding, bitterness and pettiness - at least for now

After the minefield of Real Madrid, Mourinho's time at Chelsea will seem like a stroll through the daisies

Mourinho hits back at Iniesta after being accused of 'damaging' La Liga

Mourinho prepares to work with new generation at Chelsea

Edinson Cavani: 'Working for Manuel Pellegrini or Jose Mourinho would be a great pleasure'

Mourinho tells Lukaku and De Bruyne they are part of his plans

Mourinho and other memorable sports press conferences

'I think I'm a special one': Mourinho in his own words

In pictures: The highs and lows of Mourinho's first spell at Chelsea

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in