Manchester United
Premier League • England
Edinson Cavani latest: Man Utd striker linked with Serie A return as surprise suitors emerge
Edinson Cavani is being linked with a sensational return to Serie A with surprise club Salernitana emerging as a potential destination, per a report.
Cavani is out of contract with Manchester United this June. He is looking likely to leave after just two seasons with the Red Devils. The striker has been out of favour in 2021-22 after Cristiano Ronaldo re-joined the club in summer.
Due to Cavani receiving much less game time this season than last, it has been one of the striker’s worst campaigns in terms of output.
He has appeared 20 times in all competitions, contributing to just three goals from the entirety of the campaign. These comprise of two goals and one assist.
For a striker, these numbers are abysmal and showcase United’s lack of depth in attack. Outside of Ronaldo, the club have no genuine number nines and desperately need to bolster their attacking options.
Cavani has fulfilled that role for them in the past. However, now, his time with the club is coming to an end.
This is where Salernitana come in. The club play in the top flight of Italy and narrowly scraped survival by having a major upturn in form towards the end of the season.
In their last eight Serie A games, the club gained a total of 15 points. During the previous 30 games, however, the club only amassed a total of 16.
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Salernitana will no doubt be looking to strengthen their team to ensure survival for another year. The club’s president, Danilo Iervolino, has named Cavani and one other familiar face as two of his dream signings.
Iervolino told Gazzetta Dello Sport: “I will say two names that seem impossible, but if they were possible and the coach liked them, I’d try to sign: Edinson Cavani, who has left unforgettable memories in this region, and Marko Arnautovic, who embodies the football of warriors.”
Although those seem like big names for Salernitana, they do already have some in their current squad. For example, former Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery is their captain. Cavani could be their next star man, if things work in their favour.
Cavani previously played for Napoli, who are from a similar part of Italy.
Where should Cavani play next season?
With Cavani’s relationship being tarnished with the Red Devils this season, it is unlikely that we will see him in a Manchester United shirt again.
The striker has been linked with a plethora of teams though. Real Sociedad are seemingly the favourites to acquire the Uruguay international’s services this summer.
In an interview with ESPN Brasil, Cavani stated that if he knew Ronaldo was going to return to United, he would’ve considered extending his stay in Manchester much more carefully.
“At the moment it was done, I thought it was a good thing for Manchester to sign Cristiano,” Cavani told ESPN Brasil. “Knowing a bit about the world of football these days, the first thing I did was call my [brother and manager Walter Fernando Guglielmone] and said: ‘Fernando, if this had happened a week ago, I would ask you to find me another club.’
“But not because I didn’t want to play with Cristiano Ronaldo. No. Because I had the opportunity to know him, and he is a great professional, with his targets, and that is perfect for a sportsman. But as I know, after years in football, how things work these days. That’s why I spoke to my brother.
This showcases Cavani’s desire to play week in and week out. If the Ronaldo signing wasn’t so spontaneous, the 34-year-old’s season may have played out differently.