PSG’s Edinson Cavani wanted by Atletico Madrid in January – sources

Atletico Madrid are keen on signing Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani in January to bolster their attacking options, sources have told ESPN.

Cavani, ranked the sixth best striker in the world in ESPN’s FC 100, is out of contract in June after seven years in Paris and sources have told ESPN that he won’t be offered a new deal by the Parisians. The 32-year-old has lost his place in the team due to a series of injuries in the last eight months and the success of Mauro Icardi in his position.

Cavani’s agent and half-brother Walter Guglielmone is exploring different options and has held talks with Atletico. Coach Diego Simeone would have to sell Diego Costa in January to try to attract Cavani, who earns around €18 million a year. Costa has interest from Brazil and China but a move in January could prove difficult. He would also have to lower his wages to join Atleti.

More importantly, sources have also indicated to ESPN that PSG don’t want to let Cavani leave in January. They would be left with only Icardi as a proper No. 9 in their squad and it makes no sense for them to see him go. Atleti also believe RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner is a good alternative.

Cavani is PSG’s record scorer with 195 goals since his arrival from Napoli in the summer of 2013. But he has only started three of their 21 games in all competitions this season, scoring twice, back in August. He remains a fans’ favourite, though, as showed on Wednesday night when the PSG ultras sang his name during the win over Nantes.