Ultimate summer transfer targets: Edinson Cavani

The Uruguayan has been prolific during three highly successful seasons at Napoli, but with Europe's biggest spenders circling his time in Serie A could well be coming to an end.

Even before the 2012-13 season reached its final stretch it was clear that this summer was likely to be an intense one for Napoli. The club has already undergone a change of coaching with Rafa Benitez having replaced Walter Mazzarri and is now fighting a losing battle to retain its totemic striker Edinson Cavani.

It is a credit to the player that with his future having been a matter of intense speculation for close to a year, his standards have rarely wavered. Everyone has had their say, even his father talked up the chances of him leaving and as a result interested parties have had their ears pricked for some time - now they are ready to pounce.

"He has told me he wants to go elsewhere and to leave Napoli," mum Berta Gomez told a Uruguayan radio station in April, with his father having earlier announced, "I believe that today there is a 50 percent chance of Edinson signing for Real Madrid."

While Madrid remains in the hunt and there has been talk of new Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho having Cavani on his wishlist, it is Manchester City which has Cavani at the top of a dazzling priority list.

Despite the sacking of manager Roberto Mancini in May, City director of football Txiki Begiristain has gone ahead with plans for an early assault on the transfer market this summer, with Cavani his ideal marquee signing to follow the 20 million euros purchase of Jesus Navas.

Preliminary talks have already been held between the two clubs over a potential transfer, with Edin Dzeko being considered as a possible makeweight. De Laurentiis even used the conversations relating to the two strikers as a cover for being in London when first making contact with Benitez over his arrival in Naples.

De Laurentiis gave the impression, though, that he was far from impressed by City's initial noises. "I told [sporting director Riccardo] Bigon to get in touch with Manchester City to open talks about Dzeko and see what their plans are with Cavani. There's a lot of talk, but less action when it comes to actually spending money. Unlike me, others seem to be taking a lot of time to use their bank account."While Dzeko is thought to be more keen on a return to the Bundesliga than a switch to Italy, Cavani himself has cast doubt on a possible move to City with talk of Real Madrid being his dream club.

"As a child, I dreamed of playing at this club [Real Madrid] or Barcelona," the 26-year-old told La Gazzetta dello Sport, prompting further fears from Napoli fans which forced Anellucci to speak out.

"Nobody said that Edinson wants to leave Napoli," Anellucci told Il Mattino. "He only has a certain dream to play for the team of his heart, which he has had ever since his childhood. What's wrong with it to say that out loud?"

But again, Cavani has refused to nail his colors to the Napoli mast, telling Corriere del Mezzogiorno last weekend: "Is Napoli my future? Napoli is my today. No one can predict the future. I can only say that today I am happy.

He added, "As for Real Madrid... kids dream, it is normal. Everyone does it. I found Napoli and I am proud. Then again it's nice to dream, even when you are grown up."

And while Manchester City wants Cavani and the player himself seems to want Real Madrid, all Napoli want is its money. De Laurentiis refuses to be moved on the striker's valuation of 63m euros, insisting that he will not release the player without the asking price being met.

"Cavani has a contract for another four years and a buyout clause worth 63m euros," De Laurentiis wrote on Twitter in a question and answer session earlier this week.

"We have received many offers for Cavani, but all of them were much lower than the buyout clause."

Napoli's hopes of sparking an intense bidding war are further decreased, however, by the public protestations of Paris Saint-Germain, which paid the Serie A side over 20 million pounds last summer for Ezequiel Lavezzi.

"The Uruguayan is not our goal this summer," PSG sporting director Leonardo told Sky Sport Italia. "You should not expect a sensational transfer market [from us] because we already have champions."

Having lost their domestic crowns to bitter rivals, both Manchester City and Real Madrid will significantly enhance their chances of inheriting the moniker of champions should they be successful in their pursuit of Cavani.