Manchester United Transfer Rumours: Edinson Cavani Perfect Target for Red Devils

The rich may be getting richer, as defending EPL champs Manchester United are reportedly making a huge move for Napoli's Edinson Cavani. 

Alan Nixon of The Mirror hits us with the report:  

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Manchester United are making a record-breaking £50 million move for Edinson Cavani.

New United boss David Moyes wants to sign the Uruguay striker from Rafa Benitez’s Napoli. But the Scot faces competition from Real Madridand Chelsea. And news of the bid will raise even more question marks over Wayne Rooney’s future at Old Trafford.

Cavani’s powerful style looks ideal for the Premier League. Moyes is keen to play two men up front and Cavani would make a perfect partner for Robin van Persie.

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Of course, with a player of Cavani's stature, a deal is not going to be simple or quick, and by the sounds of it, that £50 million is not enough.  

The Mirror's David Cartlidge passed along recent quotes from Napoli's president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, saying as much. As Cartlidge notes, Cavani had said he would like a meeting with his boss over his current situation.

Here is De Laurentiis' response (via Cartlidge):  

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With Cavani there is no need for a face-to-face. There is a clause and there will come a time when a club brings to the table £60m [the clause] and we can not keep him.

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So, this move should be viewed as anything but a slam dunk. However, it would be a coup for the Red Devils, and just their interest hints at implications for one of their current stars. 

As Nixon astutely points out, this all casts the future of Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford into severe doubt. In that sense, this move—should it happen and Rooney does not return—would always be viewed as a swap of Rooney for Cavani. 

While this would place extra pressure on Cavani to produce, he would be in a good position to succeed. 

Cavani wouldn't be asked to carry Manchester United's attack. He would simply need to become a cog in that powerful offensive machine. 

Not only would he be teaming up with Robin van Persie, but the Red Devils still boast of a roster that also features Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck.

As Nixon also points out, this interest seems to signify that Moyes intends to play with two strikers. 

Cavani can flourish in this role. He has the overall game and passing to play with a fellow striker or even occasionally drop back. 

This would spark life and fresh energy into a great club and be a far better option than dealing with a disgruntled and miscast Rooney. 

Of course, this is all just speculation at this point, but it is clear that the Red Devils should do everything within their power to bring Cavani to Old Trafford.