According to the website Caught offside, Arsenal F.C. are making a huge 50 million pound bid for Edinson Cavani. Arsene Wenger would really be going out on a limb here with a club record transfer for the Uruguayan striker.
Ever since his move from Naples to Paris, Cavani has struggled to stay on form at Paris Saint-Germain. During his time at Napoli, the 27 year-old was regarded as one of the top strikers in world football. In his last season with Napoli, he finished with 29 league goals for the season, catching the attention of the French club. After the 2012-2013 season, PSG purchased Cavani for 55.6 million pounds (yet PSG claim Di Maria is too expensive).
Moving to PSG looks to have been a mistake for the Uruguayan. Not much has been heard from his time in the French league, and a move may be good for him. One of the problems at his time with PSG has been his positioning. At PSG, Cavani plays out left on the wing since Zlatan Ibrahimovic plays in the center-forward role. And to be fair, his chances of displacing the great Zlatan are nil to none (he is Zlatan).
Coming to London will help Cavani to regain form. He would most likely play back in a striker position. And with the surrounding midfield talent at Arsenal, Cavani can find many opportunities to score; however, bringing Cavani to London for 50 million pounds is too much. Surely we all witnessed his performance at the 2014 World Cup. If Real Madrid bought Toni Kroos for 24 million pounds–a World Cup winning midfielder– then Arsenal should be able to lessen the value for Cavani.
His height and finishing in front of goal can help Arsenal. Cavani knows how to drop and link with midfielders well, making him a perfect fit in Wenger’s system. As of now, Giroud is the only senior striker the Gooners count on. Sanchez was brought to play in the striker role, but he is primarily a winger. We will have to wait and see how Sanchez will do up in the front. I give Cavani helping the team a 7 out of 10.
Although Caught offside is not the only website mentioning the transfer rumor, we cannot trust it to be all true. I rate the rumor strength a 5 out of 10.
Considering the transfer of Alexis Sanchez, the preseason performance from Yaya Sanogo, and the return of Oliver Giroud, Wenger looking for another expensive striker is unlikely. In fact, Joel Campbell may be loaned out for another season which points at the French manager feeling complete with strikers; therefore, there is a 40% chance of Cavani playing for the Gooners. Maybe we can reach out for the striker if the price is lowered. Should Arsenal purchase Cavani?
