Chelsea handed Edinson Cavani transfer boost as Atletico Madrid already struggling with wage cap
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CHELSEA have reportedly been handed a boost in their hunt for Edinson Cavani.
claims fellow suitors Atletico Madrid are unlikely to make a move for the Paris Saint-Germain striker this month as they are struggling to comply with the LaLiga wage cap.
And that could give Chelsea an advantage in the closing days of the January transfer window as Frank Lampard looks to add a new forward to his squad.
Cavani, 32, is understood to have handed in a transfer request at PSG after being limited to just nine league appearances this term and was left out of Sunday's win against Lille.
Chelsea are keen on bringing him to Stamford Bridge on an 18-month deal, with Cavani’s contract expiring this summer.
But Atletico are believed to be the Uruguayan’s top choice, with Diego Simeone able to guarantee first-team action in his two-striker system.
However, it’s reckoned the Spaniards are currently unable to do a deal for Cavani as they are already at the limits of their £324.5million annual wage allowance.
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LaLiga introduced the rule in 2013 in order to get Spanish teams to handle their finances responsibly.
Each side has a different amount, set at the start of each season, based on a number of factors including income and the amount of sporting sections which need cover.
Barcelona have the highest limit this season at £566.35m, with the champions using that money to also fund their basketball and futsal teams.
Real Madrid are second in the list with £541m, and Atletico’s £324.5m places them third.
Cavani currently earns £360,000-a-week at PSG, and those kinds of numbers would apparently push Atleti way above their allowance.
The only way Simeone could get a deal for Cavani done right now is to sell one of his current big earners.
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Thomas Lemar is believed to be a target for Arsenal, but Mikel Arteta is known to have limited funds after the Gunners splashed the cash on Nicolas Pepe last summer.
That means Chelsea could be in prime position to seal a deal for Cavani before the winter window closes.
But it remains to be seen if the player himself fancies a new adventure in London, with Tammy Abraham currently the first choice striker under Lampard.