Manchester United £35m target Edinson Cavani a 'Modern Striker'

Manchester United target Edinson Cavani believes that he has a similar style of play to Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, with the Italian revealing that he sees himself as a 'modern striker'.

Cavani has been linked with moves to numerous clubs over the last transfer window, though Napoli have worked hard to keep hold of their prized possession amongst bids for Cavani's signature.

Manchester United were connected to Cavani during the summer, despite Napoli's club president claiming that he was worth €100 million, though no bid eventuated before the transfer window closed.

Cavani is said to realistically be worth around £35 million, but should should he show in his second season with the Serie A outfit that he is of the calibre of Balotellli, that price tag might be on the rise.

Currently with the Uruguay international side as they prepare to take on Italy in a friendly this week, Cavani believes that Balotelli is the closest to his style in terms of skill and style of play, which would no doubt put United on alert to his services once more.

"Italy have many great players in their team. I think Andrea Pirlo makes the difference, while I am similar to Balotelli," Cavani told Sky Sport Italia.

"We are modern strikers and I think Italian football is similar to English football.

"Roberto Mancini asks of Balotelli what I am asked to do at Napoli."

Balotelli has been no stranger to controversy at City since the Italian moved to the club last summer, but the 21-year-old has scored 11 goals in his time at the club, and looks to be working harder and becoming more settled in each match. While Balotelli's attitude issues might not suit Ferguson, Cavani is not so much the centre of attention for his off-field antics, showing his talent on the pitch by scoring 26 goals last season.

United were thought to have made a bid for Cavani in the summer, but his agent refuted the claims in July, insisting that no such talks had taken place.

Manchester City and Chelsea are also said to be interested in the hitman, but United are front runners, and will surely be linked again with Cavani as Sir Alex Ferguson pushes to challenge City for the Barclays Premier League title and to overhaul Barcelona in the Champions League.