The Premier League champions will face stiff competition for the signature of Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, according to Manchester City coach Angelo Gregucci.

Edinson Cavani
Reuters

"City will definitely have competition for Cavani, who is dominating the Italian league with his goals and sacrifices for the team and whose contract has a £55m buy-out clause," Gregucci said during an interview with a Naples radio station.

Cavani has scored 18 goals in 20 games in the Serie A this season, proving to be indispensible to Napoli's title challenge. The Naples club are only three points behind leaders Juventus.

"Edinson is scoring a huge number of goals this season, and it will be difficult for City to take him," Gregucci continued, "The ten biggest clubs in Europe all have Cavani in their sights."

The Italian coach was quoted as making similar comments early in the January transfer window, when he suggested the fact Cavani was content with life in Naples would make it hard for any club to sign him.

In any case, Arsenal are likely to be included in the list of suitors, with Arsene Wenger having previously spoken of his admiration of the player.

Sakho in Summer Transfer to Premier League?

Meanwhile, the Gunners have been encouraged in their pursuit of Paris St Germain (PSG) defender Mamadou Sakho, who could leave the French club in search of first-team football. The 22-year-old versatile defender enjoyed an outstanding season with the club last year but has failed to establish himself under Carlo Ancelotti. And Sakho believes that in order to be included in the France squad for the 2014 World Cup, he must start playing more regularly.

"I will do everything to play at the 2014 World Cup but I need to be playing week in, week out," he said in a Goal.com report, adding, "I cannot accept playing just a few minutes this season and next because this is a decisive moment in my career."

"At the end of the season I will sit down with my agent and club officials and clear up the situation," the 22-year old defender confirmed, "If I have to leave PSG to keep my place in the France national team, then I have no choice but to leave."

Goal.com's report adds the youngster is interesting Liverpool and Newcastle United as well. Earlier reports linked City to the defender, with the understanding he would provide a long-term replacement for ex-Everton defender Joleon Lescott.