Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that the club is working to keep striker Edinson Cavani at the club next season.
Cavani, whose importance to United was shown in a goal performance against Tottenham on Sunday, will see his contract expire at the end of the season, but there is a possibility to extend it by another year if both Cavani and United agree.
Sunshine is keen to keep Cavani | JON SUPER / Getty Images
The problem for United is that the striker does not yet intend to decide. Speculation about a potential move to the Argentine team Boca Juniors has increased with each passing day and Solskjær confirmed after the 3-1 victory against Spurs that Cavani continues to consider his future.
“We have had forward and honest meetings,” Solskjaer said (via The Express). “It’s no secret that we want to keep him. I do not think it is a secret that this has been a difficult year for everyone.
With the pandemic, it has not been possible to have friends over, family over without quarantine. You can not travel.
“He has not been able to experience the fantastic culture in Manchester and in and around England, and he thinks and thinks hard and long about what he wants to do and I understand.
What nunca falten esas ganas de competir … a preparar lo que viene? Do you always have this desire to compete … Let’s prepare and focus on what’s to come? pic.twitter.com/P70TZ7gGWX
– Edi Cavani Official (@ECavaniOfficial) April 11, 2021
“He knows what we want; I want him in Old Trafford when it’s full, Stretford End do a diving head like today. There is no better feeling, so let’s wait and see. ”
The situation is complicated by a clause in Cavani’s contract which means that he earns the best part of £ 2m if the option in his contract is not triggered. However, it is unclear if it would still be active if it is Cavani who rejects, not United.
A concern for Cavani is the lack of first team football he has seen at Old Trafford. Only 11 of his 20 Premier League appearances have come from the start, and although he has been a regular starter in recent months, there are fears he will not be able to retain that spot next season.
Cavani is entitled to a payment if he does not extend | Marc Atkins / Getty Images
United still have Anthony Martial, whose season could be over after a knee injury, while the Red Devils are looking to spend big money on Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland – a signing that would definitely move Cavani to the bench.
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