Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Edinson Cavani and Enzo Perez Pursuits

Chelsea find themselves in an enviable position this winter, entering the Christmas period at the head of the Premier League but with speculation still linking the club with a host of substantial January additions.

Edinson Cavani was one big name associated with a move to Stamford Bridge over the summer, and recent reports quote the Uruguayan as refusing to shut the door on what's in store for his future.

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Meanwhile, Manchester United are looking to beat the Blues to the signature of Benfica playmaker Enzo Perez in a race that could come down to merely who's willing to meet the players release clause soonest.

Cavani conducted an interview with French programme Telefoot (h/t Daily Star's Nick Lustig) this past week, stating that while he's happy with Paris Saint-Germain, he also doesn't know what lies ahead in his career:

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It's not a matter of being better in the middle of the attack. On the flanks, it's more difficult for me. But the most important thing is the team, you have to help sometimes. It is normal for me to complain, as it was my position these last years. But a 4-4-2 [up front] with Zlatan? That's how I imagined to play when I first came at the club. But things change a lot."

Was I happier at Napoli? These are journalist comments - I'm not a smiling person, that's all. Everybody has an opinion. I'm happy at Paris. You don't know what can happen in football, but my mind is set on PSG.

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As Cavani hints, he held a more central striking role in Naples, which allowed him to build his reputation as one of the most lethal finishers in the sport and leading to his €64.5 million move to the French capital.

It's been widely reported in the past year that competition for that role alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic has caused tension at PSG, but ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson quotes the player on insisting otherwise:

Chelsea have their own attacking marvel to be grateful for, with summer arrival Diego Costa adapting to the Premier League swiftly and immediately rising as a potential Golden Boot contender.

The same can't be said for Didier Drogba on his return to Stamford Bridge, though, and it's possible Jose Mourinho may hunt for another elite name in 2015.

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A more realistic target at this point is Benfica's Perez, whom Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express says is drawing huge interest from Manchester United with a view to meeting his £23.5 million release fee.

There's an obstacle for both English giants, however, as Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC reveals Valencia are looking into the deal, too; Peter Lim's outfit is already holding close bonds with the Portuguese titans:

Los Che already have Rodrigo, Andre Gomes and Joao Cancelo on loan from the Eagles, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Perez follow suit, especially with a set price on his head this winter.

Chelsea's need for the versatile midfielder aren't as great as United's, given that Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic are functioning so fluently in the middle of the park.

That being said, Mourinho has never been one to reject the notion of a stacked squad full of competition for places, and Perez's arrival could see John Obi Mikel move closer to the west London exit.