Manchester City are ready to launch a bid for Napoli star Edinson Cavani. The Daily Mail says City opened talks over a move for Napoli's prolific forward Cavani last month and were initially put off by his £52m release clause.

However, with Chelsea in pole position for Atletico Madrid's Colombian superstar Radamel Falcao, City have returned to the Uruguay international and are prepared to break the British transfer record to sign him.

Cavani is currently Serie A's leading scorer with 18 goals, helping his club to second place, five points behind leaders and the defending champions Juventus.

Both Napoli and Cavani's representatives are aware of City's intention to pursue the 25-year-old during the summer transfer window. But Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also poised to bid.