January's Most Wanted: Edinson Cavani to Barcelona or Juventus?

Martin Macdonald
Martin Macdonald
  • 17 Jan 2022 08:59 CST
  • 6 min read
‘Manchester United needed the Edinson Cavani of five years ago’
© ProShots

Edinson Cavani only signed a Manchester United contract extension last summer, but he is already contemplating an exit after falling behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the pecking order at Old Trafford.

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The Uruguayan signed his new deal over six months ago, only for Ronaldo to be brought in to be the undisputed main man for United up top.

Even though Cavani and Ronaldo have actually started together up front recently, there is no doubt that the former is there to service the latter.

Here, we assess the likelihood of Cavani leaving Man Utd.

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What is Edinson Cavani's transfer status?

Crucially, Man Utd manager Ralf Rangnick recently revealed that Cavani has pledged his immediate future to the club, saying:

"I told him that if it was up to me I would want him to stay and I had a conversation with him yesterday.

"He came into my office and we spoke for almost half an hour and he told me he will definitely stay and would want to stay until the end of the season.

“Not only because I told him that he should stay or has to stay, he did it on his own behalf and he told me that I can rely on him to stay until the end of the season and give his very best and be a role model for the young players.

“Even if he's not playing, he will be trying to be the best possible role model for the other players and for me this is good news because Edi if one of those players with his vast amount of experience, with his mentality, his work ethic, I think he could really be a perfect role model for the other players.”

That is fairly cut and dry, but it doesn't mean that Cavani wont be tempted by a move if an offer comes in.

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When does Edinson Cavani's contract expire?

Cavani's contract expires in the summer of 2022.

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What clubs are interested in Edinson Cavani?

The team most frequently linked with Cavani is Barcelona.

The Blaugrana have already spent big on Ferran Torres this month, but head coach Xavi is desperate to acquire a new centre forward as he is currently having to make do with Luuk de Jong in that position.

There are no doubts as to who the main man would be in attack for Barca if Cavani was to sign up.

Another club actively looking for a new striker is Juventus, who have struggled to score goals since the departure of the aforementioned Ronaldo.

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Could Edinson Cavani leave in January?

The comments from Rangnick suggest that a January departure is unlikely, but if Barca or Juventus make their interest concrete, a discussion will have to take place.

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Could Edinson Cavani leave in the summer?

It seems very, very unlikely that Cavani will sign a new contract with Man Utd to extend his stay beyond this season.

He has his heart set on a return to South America to be nearer his family in Uruguay, so that seems a probably destination.

How old is Edinson Cavani?

Cavani was born on 14 February 1987. He is 34.

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