Ole Gunnar Solskjaer provides update on Edinson Cavani contract talks
By Tom Gott
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that the club are working to keep striker Edinson Cavani at the club next season.
Cavani, whose importance to United was on show in a goalscoring performance against Tottenham on Sunday, will see his contract expire at the end of the season, but there is the option to extend that by a further year if both Cavani and United agree.
The problem for United is that the striker is yet to make his mind up. Speculation of a potential move to Argentinian side Boca Juniors has been growing with each passing day, and Solskjaer confirmed after the 3-1 win over Spurs that Cavani continues to consider his future.
“We’ve had up front and honest meetings,“ Solskjaer said (via The Express). ”It’s no secret we want to keep him. I don’t think it’s any secret too that this has been a difficult year for everyone.
“With the pandemic it’s not been possible to have friends over, family over without quarantine. You can’t travel.
"He’s not been able to experience the fantastic culture in Manchester and in and around in England, and he is contemplating and thinking hard and long about what he wants to do and I understand.
Que nunca falten esas ganas de competir... a preparar lo que viene ?
— Edi Cavani Official (@ECavaniOfficial) April 11, 2021
Always have this desire to compete... Let's prepare and focus on what's coming ? pic.twitter.com/P70TZ7gGWX
“He knows what we want; I want him in Old Trafford when it’s full, Stretford End scoring a diving header like today. There’s no better feeling, so let’s wait and see.”
The situation is complicated by a clause in Cavani's contract which would see him earn the best part of £2m if the option in his contract is not triggered. However, it is unclear whether that would still be active if it is Cavani who declines, not United.
A concern for Cavani is the lack of first-team football he has seen at Old Trafford. Just 11 of his 20 Premier League appearances have come from the start, and although he has been a regular starter in recent months, there are fears that he may not keep that spot next season.
United still have Anthony Martial, whose season could be over after a knee injury, while the Red Devils are looking into spending big on Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland - a signing which would definitely relegate Cavani to the bench.