Chelsea Transfer Report: Chelsea Set to Move for Edinson Cavani

The Daily Mail today reports that Chelsea are about to open talks with Serie A club Napoli over the potential signing of highly-rated striker Edinson Cavani.

The price quoted by the Mail is £35 million, a fee that is sure to raise eyebrows in southwest London.

But it is Cavani's reported demand of wages in the amount of close to £150,000 a week that might be a potential stumbling block.

This is surprising in itself. The club have already sanctioned a £32 million move for Belgian whizz-kid Eden Hazard, with his wages believed to be close to £200,000 a week (via Goal.com).

Last season Cavani struck 33 goals in all competitions, bringing his total tally to 66 whilst at Napoli.

Since moving from Palermo in 2010, Cavani has emerged as one of the premier attacking talents playing in Europe. The Uruguayan has become known for his blistering shots and fantastic ability in the air.

At 25 years of age, he is also entering the prime of his career.

The move would be an attempt by manager Roberto Di Matteo to replace striker Didier Drogba, who last month completed his transfer to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.

With Fernando Torres already on the books, the transfer would raise doubts over who the club's number one option in attack would be, with Di Matteo already this month stating that Torres' place in the team wasn't guaranteed (via Daily Mail).

With the probability that Roman Abramovich's spending is not yet concluded, Chelsea fans can expect their club to be linked with more of world football's biggest talents this Summer.