Chelsea close in on Edinson Cavani

Chelsea are closing in on Edinson Cavani, according to Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Uruguay international Cavani, 26, is widely expected to quit Serie A this summer after catching the eye of a number of big-spending clubs.

And while new Blues boss Jose Mourinho is likely to face competition from the likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain for his signature, De Laurentiis expects to hear from the Europa League winners in the near future.

He said: “There is interest from Chelsea in Cavani, they’ll call me in the next few hours.

“If Cavani is sold then I’ll reinvest all of the £53.5million of his release clause.

“I’ll be delighted if he stays, but if he leaves then he will be adequately replaced.”