Football transfer news

Edinson Cavani remains coy on his future at Napoli as he continues to impress in Serie A with his fine performances.

The Uruguay international netted a hat-trick in the Partenopei‘s 4-1 league win over Roma on Sunday to take his tally this season to 25 goals in 23 games, and the player has continually been linked with a move away from the San Paolo.

Nevertheless, the 25-year-old is not in a rush to leave his current club any time soon.

“I have an objective and the club know what I want. I have a clear idea about my future, but now is not the time to openly discuss it,” the striker told Mediaset.

“I am content at this club. I feel very good here and I want to go through the good and the bad moments. All I want to say is that the club know how I feel and what I want.”

Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis recently stated that he turned down a €55 million offer for Cavani, and he does not have any regrets.

“Turning down a €55m offer last summer was the right choice. If someone opts to pay his (€63m) buy-out clause, it’s up to Edi to decide whether he wants to leave.

“He will probably stay if the offer comes from Russia, but he might consider leaving if Real Madrid or Barcelona make a move.”

Cavani has a contract with Napoli until June 2017.

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has revealed that Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli would be his “dream” signing.

The Naples club posted a 4-1 Serie A win over Roma on Sunday evening, with prolific marksman Edinson Cavani netting a hat trick.

And De Laurentiis underlined his desire to not only retain the coveted Uruguay international but to have him start alongside Balotelli.

He told Mediaset: “My dream? [Is to have] Balotelli alongside Cavani in Napoli attack.”

Balotelli, 22, was involved in a heavily publicised training ground altercation with manager Roberto Mancini last week, though his compatriot later revealed he would be given “100 chances” at the club.

However, as Goal.com revealed on Saturday, the Italian is keen on a return to his homeland with Milan believed to be preparing a January bid.

Chelsea striker Demba Ba has insisted he is content to work alongside Fernando Torres and says he will prove himself worthy of a starting berth at the club.

The Senegal international completed a £7 million move from Newcastle on Friday before marking his Blues debut by netting twice in the 5-1 FA Cup win over Southampton a day later.

And, despite having replaced the Spaniard in the starting lineup for the win over Nigel Adkins’ men, Ba believes he can strike up a partnership if required.

“Ask the manager. If I have to play with him, I’ll play,” he told reporters.

“If I have to be on the bench, I’ll wait for my chance, and if he puts me on the bench I’ll prove that I can play. That’s it.”

Ba also expressed delight at his goalscoring bow and thanked fans and team-mates for their contribution to his early success.

“I don’t think I have made a debut like that before. That’s a great one and I’m pleased, I’m going to enjoy it a little bit,” he added.

“When you see the fans they show you they’re happy for you and the team-mates when they come and congratulate you it’s a good feeling.

“The three behind me make football look easy. I just try to run in behind and try to create space as well for them. I know when they have some space they will be very dangerous.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez dismissed claims that £50 million man Torres might feel threatened by the new arrival.

“Fernando is really pleased,” he said.

“He knows he cannot play every game, that he needs someone else who can give him a rest. For me, it’s a great opportunity to manage two different players.

“It will be good for the team also because both players can score goals and, if they are fresh, they can make a difference.”

“He will be a good addition as now we have different options depending on whether we want to play one way or another. Also, if we want to play with two strikers, we can.”

Giuseppe Marotta has admitted that Juventus are looking into the possibility of luring Shangai Shenhua striker Didier Drogba to Turin this winter.

The Serie A champions are hoping to strengthen their attack in the January transfer window and the Chelsea legend is one of the candidates to join the Old Lady, alongside Athletic Bilbao’s Fernando Llorente, as Goal.com revealed last week.

“You always explore your options and that’s what we have done regarding Drogba. We have noted his availability,” he told Domenica Sportiva.

“We will now find out whether his financial demands are compatible with what we can offer. After that the matter will be further discussed with the coach.

“It’s only normal that a club like Juventus are looking to strengthen as we want to win the Champions League again. It’s not easy to find a solution that makes sense financially, too.”

The 34-year-old striker is currently preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations with Cote d’Ivoire.

Tottenham could sign Schalke midfielder Lewis Holtby in the January transfer window, according to the German club’s managing director Horst Heldt.

Holtby has agreed to join Spurs upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season but Heldt says that Schalke would be prepared to consider selling him to the north London club before then.

The 22-year-old hinted that a deal could be completed earlier than the summer in a message posted on his Facebook account but also promised to dedicate himself to Schalke until he left the Bundesliga.

“If Tottenham ask for Holtby in the January window, we will talk to them about it,” Heldt said. “Nothing has happened yet, but, from our point of view, we are prepared to speak to them.

“It would have to be done quickly, because we would have to find a replacement for him.”

Holtby’s father was born in Liverpool but the player elected to represent Germany and has so far made three appearances for the national team.