Neither of Edinson Cavani’s parents predicted this move.
But, finally, one of the longest transfer saga’s of the summer has come to a close as French champions Paris Saint-Germain signed Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani for a whopping $82.5 million.
Cavani’s new club have splashed a huge amount of cash to get their man, with his parents previously stating he was on his way to Real Madrid. However that didn’t materialize and now Paris is Cavani’s new home.
The ex-Napoli man has signed a five-year deal and the 26-year-old known as “El Matador” will look to bring European success to the Parc des Princes.
Yet, do I get the feeling that Cavani isn’t exactly what PSG need this season?
Laurent Blanc’s men could do with strengthening in other areas first, as their attack already boasts Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cavani’s ex-Napoli teammate Ezequiel Lavezzi, Javier Pastore and plenty of others.
Maybe a central midfielder or another central defender would be better? That’s just me.
Or, does Cavani’s arrival spark the end of Zlatan’s Parisian adventure? The 31-year-old fell out with some people behind the scenes during last seasons title celebrations (namely outgoing Sporting Director Leonardo) and isn’t against joining Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
(MORE: Edinson Cavani has “heart set on move to England”)
Cavani and Zlatan are two of a kind. They’re huge bulking forwards, who are quick and can score goals. I don’t think there is room for both of them in PSG’s team. If there is, then my goodness, central defenders across France and Europe will be crying themselves to sleep this evening.
But that extremely physical approach may not be what Blanc is looking for. They’re pretty set at the back, with Thiago Silva marshaling the defense and Salvatore Sirigu doing a fine job in goal.
Strangely, despite all their attacking talent, PSG couldn’t score many goals last season. They averaged less than 2 goals per game, 1.81 to be exact, and that’s not good enough for a side boasting top international forwards by the barrel full. They huffed and puffed and won several games 1-0 or 2-1 last term, they got the job done and won the title. But their Qatari owners will be expecting some more swashbuckling displays in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League this season.
(MORE: As transfer window opens, Cavani mum on potential move)
At the back they had the best defense in the league by far, letting in just 23 goals. Blanc is an astute tactician and being a former French international defender he always sets his teams up to be difficult to beat.
But does the signing of Cavani mean they will play two up front and go for it, big time, next season? With Blanc’s defensive principles I doubt it, but you never know.
Cavani has scored 104 goals in 138 games over his last three seasons with Napoli. If that doesn’t help PSG score more this season, whether Ibrahimovic is around or not, I don’t know what will.
