Chelsea Transfer News: Cavani Decision Expected in July; Zouma Flattered by Blues Link

Jun 24, 2013 03:39 AM EDT

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis believes a decision on the future of Edinson Cavani will be made in July, while Kurt Zouma admitted to being flattered by Chelsea's interest.

Cavani has been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City, with the latter deciding not to match his buyout clause of €63 million (£54 million, $83 million).

News broke out that the release clause has an expiration date of August 10, with reports suggesting interested clubs could wait until then before making a move.

However, De Laurentiis does not believe Cavani, who is currently with Uruguay at the Confederations Cup, will wait until August and expects a decision to be made by July 20, before he returns to Napoli after his summer holiday.

"I don't think Cavani will leave on August 10, when his buyout clause expires," De Laurentiis told Radio Rai.

"I'm confident in him, because I consider him a real man. He won't make me a joke of me.

"Should Cavani want to leave, he will decide it after a long period of reflection.

"But by July 20 we will probably know everything about his future."

Real Madrid are thought to be Cavani's preferred destination, but the 26-year-old has also expressed his admiration for Chelsea and Manchester City managers Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini.

Meanwhile, St. Etienne defender Zouma, who is currently with France at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, has admitted he is aware of reports linking him with a move to Chelsea.

The Blues are thought to be considering a £10 million ($15.3 million) bid for the 18-year-old, with the likes of Bayern Munich and AC Milan also tracking the talented defender's progress.

"If you hear of interest from Chelsea and a great manager such as Jose Mourinho, you take notice," Zouma said.

"It makes you happy, and it means you are on the right way to the top.

"I am relaxed about all the fuss about me being linked with big clubs, at the moment my focus is on the Under-20 World Cup. We have to try to win that with our generation of good young players."

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