Cavani close to Chelsea switch - a €58million deal

Chelsea have beaten off interest from Manchester City and Real Madrid to a deal in the region of €58million with Napoli for star striker Edinson Cavani

According to Italian publication Sport Mediaset, Stamford Bridge owner Roman Abramovich won the race because he was offering cash to complete the deal.

It claims Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was keen for a number of squad players at the Santiago Bernabeu to be included in a deal, but Napoli preferred a cash deal.

Manchester City had reportedly been interested but these developments suggest they have fallen behind their rivals as they are yet to officially appoint a new manager, widely expected to be Manuel Pellegrini.

The report also claims Cavani is likely to agree terms with Chelsea quickly as he greatly admires new Blues boss Mourinho.

Napoli president Aurelio di Laurentiis wanted a cash deal as he has agreed to bankroll new manager Rafael Benitez in revamping the squad for a tilt at the Scudetto and dethroning Juventus.