Chelsea are ready to offer Edinson Cavani an 18-month deal after the Paris Saint-Germain striker handed in a transfer request.

Frank Lampard, the Chelsea head coach, is keen to strengthen his attacking options and signalled his interest in the Uruguay international yesterday. Cavani, who will be 33 next month, earns £200,000 a week and is out of contract in the summer. Chelsea would need to agree a fee with PSG, who want as much as £23 million and rejected an £8.5 million offer from Atletico Madrid this month. Cavani was also offered to Manchester United, who have preferred to sign younger players.

Cavani has grown frustrated in Paris having made just nine league appearances this season. Lampard said: “He’s a great player, I played against