Pranav Nair
Edinson Cavani admits he would have welcomed a transfer to Manchester United while at Palermo
Speaking to Inside United (h/t Man Utd), Manchester United star Edinson Cavani revealed an interesting piece of news regarding a potential transfer to Old Trafford back in 2008. He has mentioned that he would have welcomed a move to Old Trafford earlier in his career.
The 34-year-old arrived in Europe from South America in 2007 with Italian side Palermo. He quickly established himself as a first-team player and replaced Amauri as the club’s top striker in 2008.
Given the moniker ‘El Matador’, Cavani’s performances for Palermo was garnering him attention from some of Europe’s big boys.
While Cavani does not explicitly state or remember if United were one of the teams keen on him, he admits that he would have jumped at the chance to make the switch.
“If I’d had that opportunity [to join United], I would have taken it, of course I would, without giving it a second thought.”
The Uruguayan eventually signed for Napoli before moving onto Paris Saint-Germain. He spent a trophy-laden seven years at the Parc des Princes, ending his stint as the club’s all-time top scorer.
What if?
Now 34, he continues to score goals and put in impressive performances for United. Back in 2010, United had lost Cristiano Ronaldo but still had the impressive Wayne Rooney.
Bringing in an upcoming Cavani would have been a masterstroke and could have secured our frontline for the next decade.
Unfortunately, it is now at best a classic ‘what if’ scenario. Cavani was on his heyday one of the finest frontmen in all of Europe. It is a shame that we did not get to see him in a red shirt in his prime.
More Manchester United News
- Manchester United linked with a transfer for Ben White and Jules Kounde
- Christian Pulisic verdict on Chelsea stay revealed amidst Manchester United transfer links
- Manchester United identify Erling Haaland as Edinson Cavani replacemen
Currently recovering from an injury, it remains to be seen if Cavani will make the trip to Milan this Thursday. Doing so could see him go up against his former PSG strike partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Swede, an ex-United star himself, also missed the first leg due to injury. It remains to be seen if these once former allies, now rivals, will have one last duel in their successful careers.
