Gregucci confirms Cavani interest

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini wants to sign Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, his assistant Angelo Gregucci has claimed.

The recent form of the Uruguay international has made him one of the most sought-after strikers in world football and a number of European powerhouses have been credited with an interest in the 25-year-old.

The news comes despite a warning from Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis that the Serie A club would rather bring in controversial Etihad striker Mario Balotelli to partner Cavani than sell their star asset to the Premier League champions.

"I don't know if the club will lay siege to Napoli for Cavani, but every club with a player of the highest level will know they'll be courted by bigger clubs," Gregucci told Radio CRC.

"Mancini decides the transfer targets along with the new directors. If you ask the clubs who can afford Cavani, for example Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, then I think they'd want Cavani just as Manchester City want him.

"However, what the player wants is the predominant factor in negotiations and it seems to me that Cavani is happy at Napoli."

The Naples club, quoted 12/1 in the Serie A outright winner market and 16/1 to win this season's Europa League, return to action on Sunday when they play host to relegation-threatened Palermo (KO 14:00 GMT).

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