How De Laurentiis played hardball with Europe's top clubs to seal Cavani deal

Goal Transfer List 2013: The Napoli president stated his case from the off and got exactly what he wanted when the Parisians came calling for the star striker

SPECIAL REPORT
By Kris Voakes | International Football Correspondent

Scoring 104 goals in three years will make you a very popular person. Just ask Edinson Cavani. Having joined Napoli from Palermo in 2010 for €17 million, the Uruguayan went on to be one of the Campania outfit's greatest ever players and an idol in the eyes of the club's fans.

But just as he had made friends in Naples, each goal he scored enhanced his worldwide reputation a little bit further. In 2012, the Partenopei received a €55m bid from Zenit St Petersburg for the striker, but that originally only strengthened the Italians' resolve. President Aurelio De Laurentiis flew to Uruguay's Olympic training camp in Cardiff to speak to Cavani, persuading the player to sign a new deal which included a €63m buy-out clause.

One year on, De Laurentiis knew it was time to cash in. As the summer transfer window approached, the president made his stance clear: Cavani was for sale, but only at the agreed release price. The club supremo - not wanting to be known as the man who sold his club's star player - would instead be remembered as the man who got the right price.

There was initially substantial interest from England, with Manchester City and Chelsea both wanting to add Cavani to their forward line. City identified him as one of their prime targets, but their unwillingness to pay more than €42m meant talks never got close to a satisfactory conclusion for both sides. Napoli even asked for Edin Dzeko to be included on top of a big-money deal at one point, but the respective clubs' valuations of their strikers proved divisive.

CAVANI'S INCREASING PRICE TAG
€1.7m	Danubio - Palermo (2007)
€17m	Palermo - Napoli (2010)*
€64.5m	Napoli - PSG (2013)
*full deal completed in 2011

Cavani, meanwhile, had tried to use the interest of City and Chelsea to his advantage, with early talks with each club boosting his chances of a healthy contract. He also tried to entice Real Madrid by claiming they would be his "dream" club. However,los Blancos were put off by the price, while City decided to pull out when Manuel Pellegrini said enough was enough, leaving transfer chiefs Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain to focus on bringing in Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo with the money previously earmarked for Cavani.

Chelsea's interest took a similar turn, with Fernando Torres at one point discussed as a possible makeweight. Again, the valuations of the potential buyers and De Laurentiis were a long way apart. The Blues, who also missed out on Radamel Falcao, were simply unwilling to go up to €63m and the Napoli president refused once more to back down.

The one club with the resources and the resolve to get a deal done was Paris Saint-Germain. The French champions' sporting director, Leonardo, met with De Laurentiis in Roma and outlined his plan to make Cavani the latest addition to his growing stock of former Serie A talent. The Brazilian was given carte blanche by PSG owners QSI and as such was able to meet Napoli's €63m tag.

Was the decision to shell out so much on Cavani justified? Uruguayan FA president Sebastian Bauza certainly believes so.

"It's very difficult to know if a player is really worth €63m, but there are people in football with a lot of money who are investing in something," Bauza told Goal. "So it's much simpler to invest in a world-famous player than in one who is unknown, no matter how good he is.

"Cavani is a complete player, the sort that all directors of football want to have, as he doesn't just score goals but also wins the ball back, helping the midfielders, and having an exceptional physique he's able to move around different areas of the pitch."

Jorge Chijane, an agent who played a big part in Cavani's move from Danubio to Palermo, is of a similar mind.

"Cavani was transferred to Palermo for around €1.7m. They were difficult negotiations in which I worked hard. The player then showed his great sporting condition, progressed a lot and was transferred from Palermo to Napoli for €17m.

"Based on the goals he was scoring, Cavani's reputation grew and so did his valuation, so that he went from Napoli to PSG for €63m. This shows that Cavani is one of the chosen ones of football, a player without limits."

Boardroom hero | De Laurentiis stood his ground and eventually got the right price

The Parisians were quick to state their intentions regarding a contract for Cavani. One of QSI's main economic principles since buying the club has been to ensure that players are financed according to their squad status. As such, the Uruguayan would receive a healthy pay packet, but would not be placed in the same bracket as star striker and marquee signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Even with a lower transfer fee, QSI would not have been willing to offer Cavani a better pay deal and the Uruguayan was left with the offer of a five-year €50m contract, with the club liable for an extra €26.5m in tax.

When agents got involved, De Laurentiis played his latest game of hardball. Middle men used to negotiate the deal asked for extra commission before pushing the transfer through, amounting to over €1m per club. The Napoli chief insisted that he would not hand over the desired cash, saying that he would simply add it on to the initial €63m asking price, effectively charging PSG the difference for the extra agents' fees.

GOAL TRANSFER LIST 2013

Throughout this week, Goal will give you the inside track on the 10 biggest transfers of the past year

Thus, the French side ended up paying above the release clause in order to get De Laurentiis to sign off on the transfer. Cavani's former clubs also received a fee as part of the deal, with Palermo receiving €1.5m and first club Danubio collecting €2.3m.

Having sold their talisman, De Laurentiis still had work to do in order to be received by Napoli fans as the star of the show rather than the villain of the piece. But the use of the Cavani transfer fee, plus cash saved on future salary payments, put the club in a position to build a new first-team base.

Just as Juventus had brought in Gianluigi Buffon, Lilian Thuram, Pavel Nedved and Marcelo Salas after selling Zinedine Zidane in 2001, and Inter had sold Ibrahimovic in 2009 to finance the arrivals of Lucio, Thiago Motta, Wesley Sneijder, Diego Milito and Samuel Eto'o, Napoli would use Cavani's departure to their benefit too.

The summer signings of Gonzalo Higuain, Jose Callejon, Raul Albiol, Dries Mertens, Rafael, Duvan Zapata and the loan arrival of Pepe Reina have left Napoli still fighting at the top end of Serie A despite the loss of Cavani. The transformation has painted De Laurentiis as a hero, just as he had hoped. As far as most Napoli fans are concerned, he is the man who worked the transfer market to perfection

Suarez in an Arsenal shirt? A starting XI of the 2013 ones that got away

With the Uruguayan and Wayne Rooney among those to have been linked with moves this summer only to stay put, Goal takes a look at the biggest transfers that never happened

COMMENT
By Mark Doyle

While Real Madrid made headlines on September 1 by paying a world-record €100 million to sign Gareth Bale from Tottenham, the preceding two months of the summer transfer window were undeniably dominated by proposed deals that failed to materialise.

With that in mind, Goal has decided to put together an all-star line-up of players who were widely expected to leave their respective clubs during the summer, only to end up staying put, for one reason or another. 

Given it is the forwards who, rightly or wrongly, nearly always dominate the headlines, as well as command the most exorbitant fees, we have decided to go from front to back. 

So, let us begin with an attack comprising three players who, unlike Bale, were unable to force through their respective ‘dream’ moves: Luis Suarez, Robert Lewandowksi and Wayne Rooney.

Suarez, of course, did everything he could to secure a transfer away from Liverpool. Indeed, both the striker and Arsenal clearly thought that a bid of £40,000,001 would trigger a get-out clause in the Uruguayan’s contract - but they were wrong. The offer merely succeeded in riling Liverpool so much that they refused to entertain the idea of selling their best player to one of their rivals.

It was a similar story with Lewandowski and Rooney. After losing Mario Gotze to Bayern Munich in acrimonious circumstances, Borussia Dortmund had no intention of allowing Lewandowski to follow the Germany international to the Allianz Arena. 

Die Schwarzgelben may have merely postponed the deal, however, with the prolific Polish forward all but admitting in October that he remains bound for Bavaria. 

Rooney appeared destined for Stamford Bridge but, when Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho challenged the England striker to put in a transfer request, he declined the invitation. Now, having now rediscovered his best form, he must now be considered Manchester United’s one transfer ‘win’ of the summer.

That’s because United, of course, tried and failed to sign a plethora of players before the start of the 2013-14 season. Indeed, it seemed no midfielder worth his salt didn't turn down a move to Old Trafford during the summer, so it's hardly surprising that two members of our engine room are United targets: Cesc Fabregas and Ander Herrera. 

GOAL TRANSFER LIST 2013

Throughout this week, Goal will give you the inside track on the 10 biggest transfers of the past year

The former, of course, chose not to exchange the joy at playing alongside Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, but Herrera could have been theirs had the Premier League champions met the Athletic Bilbao ace’s buy-out clause. 

However, the Spain international ended up staying in Basque country after one of the most comical transfer sagas in recent memory, with three lawyers claiming to represent the English club turning up at the Liga headquarters in the hope of brokering a deal only for the deal to collapse.

Chelsea were, meanwhile, were successfully acquiring attacking midfielders. Indeed, the Blues were so well stocked that Juan Mata felt that he was not wanted by Mourinho. The 25-year-old was heavily linked with Paris Saint-Germain and, although the move never materialised, it could yet happen.

Turning our attention to the back four, United feature again, having failed to sign Fabio Coentrao, although they were not alone in that regard, as Tottenham tried to spend some of their Gareth Bale windfall on the Real Madrid left-back. Mauricio Isla, meanwhile, also seemed destined to switch clubs but his proposed transfer from Juventus to Inter was blocked by Bianconeri boss Antonio Conte for fear of being left without a completely inadequate understudy for Stephan Lichtsteiner.

As for the heart of the back four, well, after Barcelona realised that signing Neymar was probably not the best way to address their still glaring defensive deficiencies, they targeted more than a few centre-halves. However, they signed none of them. 

In fairness to the Blaugrana, Mourinho stubbornly refused to let go of David Luiz, while Thiago Silva simply could not afford to leave PSG because, as he so empathetically explained, he has mouths to feed. 

Victor Valdes could probably sympathise because the Spain international decided over the summer that he just could not justify extending his contract with the Catalans beyond the end of the 2013-14 season. Consequently, he was expected to follow in the footsteps of Radamel Falcao by altruistically giving up Champions League football to help poor Monaco return to their former glory. The move never happened, of course, but it probably will next summer.

Iniesta agrees Barcelona extension

The Catalans have confirmed that the attacking midfielder will sign a three-year extension to his current deal

Barcelona have reached an agreement with Andres Iniesta over a new contract until the summer of 2018, the club's official website revealed on Thursday.

The attacking midfielder's previous deal was due to expire in June 2015 and a number of clubs were closely monitoring the 29-year-old's situation at Camp Nou.

Nevertheless, Iniesta has now ended all speculation about his future by agreeing a three-year extension to his existing contract.

Iniesta came through the ranks of the Barcelona youth academy and has made 479 official appearances for the Blaugrana since making his first-team debut under then head coach Louis van Gaal in 2002-03, scoring 48 goals in the process.

The Spain international has won 21 trophies during his time at Barca so far, including six La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies.  

Iniesta will sign the deal on Monday to become the fifth Barcelona player to agree a new contract until 2018 after Sergio Busquets, Cristian Tello, Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Suarez contract 'will take care of itself', says Rodgers

Liverpool have made the first move towards tying down their in-form forward to a new deal worth more than €156,000 per week and the manager is calm about getting it done

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is confident that a contract extension for Luis Suarez "will take care of itself".

Goal has learned that Reds managing director Ian Ayre has begun discussions with the in-form forward's agent, Pere Guardiola, with a view to tying their star player down to a new deal worth more than £130,000 [€156,000] per week.

Though he insists that discussions are "private", Rodgers is calm about the prospect of being able to "build a team around" the Uruguayan in the coming seasons.

Asked by reporters about the new deal, the Liverpool boss declared: "There's nothing to report on that. Contractually, with any players, it is private so at the minute he is just focusing on his football. We're just concentrating on the football, on performance levels and improving.

"I think it will all take care of itself. There's no rush at this moment in time, he's a player we want to keep here and build a team around in the next couple of years."

Rodgers praised the attitude shown by Suarez, who had been pushing to leave Anfield before the start of this season, on and off the pitch this season.

"He is maturing, accepting the role and responsibility I've given him at the club," the Northern Irishman said of the forward, who captained his side against Tottenham on Sunday. "He is one of the pillars of the group, for me.

"He's in a good place and long may it continue. He is a humble man with a unique desire to win games.

"If you judge him on his football, he is up there with the world's best."

Manchester United made a stunning last-gasp €40 million raid for Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alons

Manchester United made a stunning last-gasp €40 million raid for Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, according to reports in Spain. 

The Red Devils took a scattergun approach to the summer transfer window following the appointment of David Moyes as their new manager. 

Having failed with a series of attempts to sign Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, Manchester United reportedly made moves for Sami Khedira, Ander Herrera, Thiago Alcantara and Luka Modric as deadline day loomed. 


Eventually they landed Marouane Fellaini from Moyes's former club Everton in a deal worth £27.5 million. 

However according to El Confidencial, Manchester United made an approach for another midfielder, Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso, before they eventually settled on the Belgian. 

The Spanish source report that Manchester United made the move for the former Liverpool player on deadline day, but were knocked back by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. 

Alonso was a hit at Anfield but left to join Real Madrid in 2009, and has since been linked with a move back to the Premier League. 

Speculation has increased as contract talks with Real Madrid drag on - as it stands the 32-year-old will leave the Bernabeu when his contract expires in the summer. 

Whether the Red Devils will go back in for Alonso in January remains to be seen, although El Confidencial report that Alonso is still hesitant to commit his future to the Spanish giants.

Lewandowski & Diego Costa head Arsenal's five-man January striker shortlist

Arsenal have drawn up a five-man striker shortlist as they step up plans to make a major splash in the January market, Goal has learned.

Arsene Wenger is convinced that the addition of a marquee forward in the forthcoming window could tilt the title race in the Gunners’ favour and is ready to spend £30 million on the right player.

	WENGER'S FIVE-MAN SHORTLIST 2013-14 GOALSCORING RECORD
	DIEGO COSTAGames: 21, Goals: 21
	EL SHAARAWYGames: 7, Goals: 1
	LAVEZZIGames: 21, Goals: 2
	LEWANDOWSKIGames: 25, Goals: 16
	LLORENTEGames: 18, Goals: 6

Goal understands that Arsenal have prepared a list of targets that features Robert Lewandowski, Diego Costa, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Stephan El Shaarawy and Fernando Llorente.

The Premier League leaders are closely monitoring the big-name quintet with a view to permanent moves, bar Juventus’ Llorente, who is being considered for a loan deal.

Wenger recognises he needs a top quality alternative to Olivier Giroud, who has almost single-handedly spearheaded the team’s attack this season.

The Arsenal boss is well aware of the difficulties of landing A-list options in the notoriously difficult January window and the short-list has been compiled with a view to possible availability, even though all five would be unavailable for the Champions League.

Lewandowski has the biggest reputation of the targets, although Bayern Munich remain strong favourites to sign the Borussia Dortmund striker.

The prolific Pole is in the final year of his contract and is allowed to enter into official talks with a new club on January 1 although Dortmund are publicly adamant that he will not be sold until the end of the season.

Goal revealed on Wednesday that Arsenal are keeping close tabs on Costa, who has been in sensational form for Atletico Madrid this season, scoring 21 goals in 21 games, including 17 in 16 in the league.

Arsenal scouts will assess the Brazil-born striker in Saturday's Liga match against Levante, a fixture which takes place at Vicente Calderon.

The Atletico spearhead signed a contract extension in August that extended his agreement until 2018 but it is understood a fresh buy-out clause of around £30m was inserted in the new deal.

Lavezzi, 28, has slipped down the pecking order at Paris St Germain following the signing of Edinson Cavani last summer.

The Argentine has started only nine of the French club’s 18 league games, scoring two goals, and he is regarded by Arsenal as a player who could be seduced to Emirates Stadium.

Lavezzi is not an authentic centre-forward but he can play anywhere across the front line, as well as in the No10 role behind the main striker.

El Shaarawy, 21, is considered more of a long-term option but his youth, versatility and mobility are believed to be appealing to Arsenal.

The Italy international has been affected by injury this season and has fallen down the pecking order at Milan behind Mario Balotelli and Robinho after an eye-catching 2012-13 campaign in which he scored 19 goals for the club.

The forward, who can play anywhere across the front three, has only managed one goal this season but has struggled for regular playing time.

Arsenal have also made contact with Llorente’s representatives in a bid to secure like-for-like back-up to Giroud for the second half of the season.

The 28-year-old initially had a difficult time in Turin followed his summer transfer on a free from Athletic Bilbao and Arsenal, who were keen on signing him 12 months ago, were alerted to his potential availability for a January loan.

Llorente has formed an increasingly productive strike partnership with Carlos Tevez for the Serie A leaders, weighing in with six goals in 18 games in all competitions. However, Arsenal believe Juventus’ exit from the Champions League has given them a fresh glimmer of capturing the Spaniard on loan.

Bitcoin plummets as China's largest exchange blocks new deposits

Digital cryptocurrency has lost almost 50% of its value overnight after BTC China said it could no longer accept deposits in the Chinese currency

Bobby Lee, chief executive and Co-Founder of BTC China at his office in Shanghai. Photograph: Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images

The price of bitcoin has plummeted following an announcement from China's largest bitcoin exchange that it would no longer be accepting new yuan deposits.

BTC China said that due to action by a third-party payment provider, YeePay, it could no longer accept deposits in the Chinese currency, although it would still be able to process withdrawals. BTC's chief executive, Bobby Lee, said that YeePay gave notice on Wednesday morning Shanghai time that it would no longer provide services.

Lee blamed government regulation for the decision. China's central bankwarned in early December that bitcoin was not legally protected and had no "real meaning", and barred financial institutions from using the currency.

On Tuesday, the central bank extended that ban to payment companies like YeePay, and gave them until Chinese New Year, which begins on 31 January, to comply.

At publication time, the value of one bitcoin on BTC China stands at ¥2,630 (£266.02), down from a high of ¥7,395 (£741.70) in late November. Bitcoin has dropped against other currencies in the same period, falling from £750 to £300 in the UK and from $1242 to $480 in the US.

On 18 November, BTC China raised $5m in a funding round from institutional investors Lightspeed. Until then, it had been self-funded by its three co-founders, who opened the site in June 2011.

Bitcoin remains legal to use in China, and the central bank is standing by an announcement that individuals are free to trade it at their own risk. But without third party payment providers, new purchases of the currency are virtually impossible.

That raises doubts about the future of bitcoin. The large boom in value that the currency has seen this autumn is widely thought to be a result of Chinese users adopting it. As Chinese support has since waned, so too has the price.

Bitcoin's supporters have consistently argued that the currency is impossible to fully ban, since it exists as a decentralised network of transactions. But if it can be rendered useless to merchants and customers, an actual ban may be unnecessary.