Moyes Sanctions Audacious Big-Move For Cavani As Utd Plan For Life Without Rooney

With the January transfer window in full flow clubs are working hard to try and strengthen their squad for the second half of the season, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with all the latest news, gossip and rumours. Today, Man Utd are linked with Edinson Cavani.

Manchester United boss David Moyes has sanctioned a big-money move for unsettled PSG striker Edinson Cavani as  the club begins to prepare for life without Wayne Rooney, according to the Mirror. 

Rooney will have just one year left on his contract at Old Trafford in the summer and there has been no sign that an extension will be signed any time soon.

This has seemingly left the champions fearing that the 28-year-old will push for a move at the end of the season after coming close to an exit last summer when he was strongly linked with a move to Chelsea, and it appears Moyes has found the man he wants to replace the England forward.

The Mirror claim that the Scot has now sanctioned a summer bid for Cavani after learning that he has already become disillusioned with life in France just 6 months after making a £53m move from Napoli, with the Uruguayan said to be disappointed with the standard of football in Ligue 1 and feels that the games lack passion, intensity and atmosphere.

The news comes shortly after Moyes stopped off in Paris to watch the 26-year-old in action for PSG against Bordeaux last week as part of a European-wide search for potential new signings.

The United boss said that following the trip, he has learned that there are still big players who want to join the club despite their poor season so far.

“Judging by trips I’ve made recently and the things I am hearing, what has happened so far this season won’t be an issue when we sign players,” he said.

“The number of big players wanting to join Manchester United is incredible.

“Maybe players want to go to other clubs for the money but if you ask them where they really want to be, what badge they really want to wear, then they’ll say Manchester United.” Moyes is quoted as saying by the Mirror.

Obviously Moyes doesn’t name-drop Cavani specifically here, but the south American would certain fit into the bracket of being a ‘big player’ and the newspaper suggests that Cavani’s agent’s have already indicated their client would be open to a move to Old Trafford if PSG agree to sell in the summer.

However, that could be the major stumbling block over any potential move. Cavani was their ‘marquee’ signing in the summer and the French outfit are unlikely to let him walk away after just 1 season without a fight.

The Mirror claim it may take at least £55m to persuade PSG to sell, but I could see that figure being even higher. Cavani is heading into the World Cup as one of the best strikers on the planet, and his partnership alongside Luis Suarez for Uruguay is arguably the most feared in world football. If you look at the projected odds on the 2014 World Cup, it’s easy to see why many fancy the south Americans as they have the Cavani-Suarez combination in attack. The striker has continued his impressive goal-scoring form in France and took his tally to 19 goals in 27 matches during Sunday’s 5-0 win over Nantes. This comes after scoring 104 goals in 138 games for Napoli, so with the player currently at his peak, I could see the Ligue 1 leaders demanding a huge figure for his services.

The risk of Rooney leaving in the summer grows with each day that passes without him signing an extension and there is a real possibility United would have to cash-in this summer if no deal has been agreed before that point. While it would come as a blow to the club if they were to lose their talisman, the signing of Cavani as a replacement would certainly appease any disgruntled supporters.

However, it’s imperative United qualify for the Champions League this season for them to be able to attract not only Cavani, but any top class players in the summer. The defending champions currently sit seventh in the table following Sunday’s 3-1 loss to Chelsea and although Moyes is refusing to accept his title defence is over, the priority should now be to ensure they finish in the top four so they can rebuild ahead of next season and Cavani would certainly be a sensational first piece of business if they could pull it off.

READ ALSO: Moyes confident of signing Gundogan

Would United fans he happy to see Cavani replace Rooney in the summer? Share your thoughts below.