Manchester United are on alert over Edinson Cavani after PSG sporting director Leonardo confirmed the striker had handed in a transfer request.
United have been linked with a potential swoop for Cavani after boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted the club could look to sign a striker in the January transfer window.
Solskjaer will be without Marcus Rashford for up to three months after the striker suffered a stress fracture in his back, and Cavani could fill the void left by the striker’s absence.
After Paris-Saint Germain’s 1-0 win over Lorient on Sunday, Leonardo confirmed that Uruguay international Cavani had asked to leave, with the French club having already turned down a bid from Atletico Madrid.
“Edinson Cavani has asked to leave,” said Leonardo.
“We are studying the situation. We had an offer from Atletico Madrid, we did not accept it. I don’t know how this is going to turn out.”
Head coach Thomas Tuchel further confirmed that the clock appears to be ticking on the 32-year-old striker’s time at PSG, saying: “I am not sure that Edinson Cavani will be here in February.”
With Cavani’s PSG contract set to expire in June, Atletico Madrid have widely been considered the favourites for his signature – although Arsenal and Tottenham have also been linked with the centre-forward.
There could also be ramifications for Arsenal if Atletico fail to land Cavani, as the Spanish club are believed to be considering Alexandre Lacazette as a back-up option.
But United now appear to be firmly in the race after Solskjaer’s comments following United’s 2-0 defeat away to Liverpool on Sunday.
The United boss said the club would look at both loans and permanent signings amid a growing crisis that has seen Rashford, Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay and previously Anthony Martial sidelined.
“Well we’ve had many, many injuries on big players for us this season,” Solskjaer said.
“We’ve had now Marcus, Anthony’s been out for months, Paul’s been out for more than half the season, Scott’s been out for months.
“So it’s just an unfortunate situation that we’re in. It might be because the window is open that we look at some short-term deals as well and that could take us through until the summer.”
Asked whether United desperately need a striker now, Solskjaer said: ‘Desperately? Not desperately.
“Of course we’re looking at numbers as well, because we’ve had many injuries.
“So if the right one is there and it will fit for us, we can buy. If there’s loans available it might be possible. But I’ve got players here as well that are chomping at the bit.”