Leeds hopes dashed as Cavani agrees to drop wage demands in Portugal

Benfica have agreed a €9million-a-year deal to sign Edinson Cavani from PSG, according to a report.

Cavani, who was interesting ambitious Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani, left Paris as a free agent this summer after his contract expired.

He has been linked with a number of clubs with Radrizzani suggesting Leeds’ transfer record would be smashed this summer.

Benfica were heading the chase for the 33-year-old striker, but it was reported his wage demands could scupper the deal.

A BOLA claimed Cavani’s wage demands of  €20million a year left Benfica with no choice but to pull out of any deal.

Now though Benfica have agreed to sign the goalscorer, according to journalist Tancredi Palmeri.

Benfica have managed to get Cavani’s demands down to €9million – around £173,000 a week.

The deal makes Cavani Benfica’s new highest earner, way ahead of second-placed Andreas Samaris who reportedly earns £45,000 a week.

He scored 138 goals in 200 games while in Paris and helped the team to win six Ligue 1 titles.

Cavani, who was also linked with Manchester United, will link up with new Benfica manager Jorge Jesus, who rejoined the club on a two-year contract last week.

Cavani wanted Spain

The forward struggled for game time during a season with PSG that was curtailed when the French league decided to conclude the season in April because of Covid-19.

He still managed to notch up seven goals in 22 appearances, although mainly in the cup competitions.

The player’s agent and mother Berta Gomez confirmed there were “many clubs” looking to secure his son’s services.

However, she also told Ovacion Digital that Cavani would prefer to move to Spain.

“Fortunately today, there are many clubs interested in signing Cavani,” she said. “He still does not know where he will play, he has three months left in Paris

“We have to think carefully. At the moment, he has no intention of returning to Uruguay, he is planning to continue in Europe and would like to go to Spain.”