Edinson Cavani Napoli
Edinson Cavani's future appears to be drawing nearer to resolution. Reuters

Chelsea are reported to be lining up alternative forward targets as Paris Saint-Germain confirm their interest in Edinson Cavani and prepare a £50 million bid. Reports emerged yesterday that the French champions had met with the Napoli striker’s representative and they are now set to back up that interest with a concrete offer, according to the Guardian. New PSG manager Laurent Blanc is certainly hoping that a deal will be completed.

“He's a player I love, as do a lot of other people,” he said. “I saw him play many times for Napoli and for Uruguay and, if it's possible to add him to the squad, I'd be very happy."

The amount of the reported offer is somewhat odd, however, given Napoli’s repeated insistence that Cavani will not be allowed to leave for less than his €60 million (£53m) release clause. Chelsea are thought to have had an offer of €50 million (£42.8m) plus Fernando Torres rejected. Indeed, Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis’ stubborn stance has begun to draw the ire of Cavani, who has requested a face-to-face meeting.

If Chelsea decide against upping their offer then they will increase their focus on fellow targets Robert Lewandowski and Wayne Rooney, according to the Daily Mail. Borussia Dortmund striker Lewandowski, if attainable, would certainly appear to represent greater value for money than Cavani. With just a year remaining on his contract, the Poland international could be available for a relative bargain at £25 million.

Yet, while denying Lewandowski his desired move to Bayern Munich, Dortmund have also claimed that the player will not even be sold to a club outside of Germany and will instead run down his contract. Chelsea will hope, though, that a significant offer can yet persuade the Champions League finalists otherwise.

Rooney’s situation is also complicated. Sky Sports has reported that anticipated talks between the Manchester United forward and new manager David Moyes have yet to take place. Rooney is believed to dispute claims by Sir Alex Ferguson that he asked to leave Old Trafford at the end of last season, but his future remains uncertain.

There have been reports that Chelsea have already lodged a £20 million bid, while Arsenal are also believed to be interested. But, even if he is allowed to leave, United are likely to desire to sell the 27-year-old outside of the Premier League. Paris Saint-Germain have been strongly linked.

There has been talk this week that Chelsea are among a number of Premier League and major European sides looking to lure highly-rated Belgian youngster Julien Ngoy. The 15-year-old is not attached to any club but instead attends the Brussels academy. Already over 6ft tall and full of pace, his performances for Belgium’s Under-16 side have seen interest from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as the Blues. The academy’s director believes the player has real promise, but his next move remains undecided.

“Julien is a big talent, one of the biggest I have seen in my academy,” Nkandu Ntondo said, according to Sky Sports. "No decision has been made as yet [on his future]."

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