Chelsea have entered negotiations with Edinson Cavani and Napoli but are struggling to reach agreement over the player’s wages, according to reports.

It was revealed yesterday by Italian news organisation Mediaset that Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis had privately said he would be willing to discuss offers for the Uruguayan striker.

Chelsea had been interested in the player at the start of the summer, but Napoli slapped a huge price-tag on him to put them off.

Now however it seems that the Italian club would consider offers around the £30 million mark.

This news means that the Blues have turned their attention away from Porto’s Hulk who has been valued by his club at around £60 million, far more than the London club are willing to pay.

Cavani, who has scored 64 goals over the past two seasons for Napoli, represents far better value for money as he too has the physical attributes needed to survive in the Premiership combined with an eye for goal.

An amount of £35 million has already been agreed between the two clubs and that the only sticking point remaining is Cavani’s £150,000 a week wage demands, the Daily Star reports.

If Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich were to sanction such a deal it would put the 26-year-old striker on a par with John Terry and Frank Lampard.

The Blues have also been keeping tabs on Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente who has declared he wants to leave the side and could be available for around £15 million.

However, Cavani is one of the hottest talents in European football and an opportunity to bring him to Stamford Bridge would be too good to pass up for Roberto Di Matteo as he seeks to build on last year’s Champions League success.