Manchester United have received an unexpected transfer boost as Benfica withdrew from negotiations to signing free-agent striker Edinson Cavani.
Despite playing his part in Paris Saint-Germain’s way to the Champions League final, Cavani opted to part ways immediately after his contract at the Parc des Princes expired.
The 33-year-old leaves PSG as the all-time top goalscorer, having racked up 200 times from 301 outings during his seven-year stint in the French capital.
Although he was seemingly heading towards signing a contract with Benfica until recently, Cavani has his future laying elsewhere.
According to the Benfica director of football Rui Costa, talks between the parties have collapsed in spite of the club’s utmost efforts to conclude a deal.
“Everyone knows that Benfica were interested in Cavani, we proposed him, but that ball is no longer in our court,” he told A Bola.
“We ended our part in the negotiations because we can’t do more than we have already done.
“This matter is completely closed on our side. I don’t want to give the impression of having reopened anything, because we are not going to reopen.
“It was not possible, so we will create other solutions. We cannot now think of things that are not possible.”
Rui Costa’s words come as a transfer boost to Manchester United, who harbor a long-standing interest in Cavani.
The Red Devils have been on the Uruguayan’s trail for years, with their first approach to take him to Old Trafford dating back to David Moyes’ tenure.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could reignite that flame now that Manchester United have no real competitor for Cavani’s signature.
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