Corinthians could scupper Barcelona's plans to sign Cavani

In Brazil, Globoesporte report that Corinthians hope to lure the Uruguayan with a lucrative offer, and a salary exceeding what Barcelona could pay him.

Edinson Cavani's future remains a mystery. He has hardly enjoyed many opportunities at Manchester United - not even under new manager Ralf Rangnick and it looks likely that he could be moving on in the January transfer window. He is keen to be somewhere where he is playing regularly - the big question is where? Barcelona were one of the big favourites to sign him although it remains to be seen whether they can afford to once they complete the operation to bring Ferran Torres to Camp Nou. Now it appears there is another club who is prepared to not only meet Barca's offer but raise it - Corinthians.

Initially, Cavani seemed set to stay in Europe. Barcelona would have been the ideal place for the Uruguayan but there is just one snag, his salary.

Corinthians, according to Globoesporte, are keen to sign him. The player's brother insists that they will start negotiating from 1 January, when they are able to resolve the striker's contractual situation with Manchester United. Cavani's contract expires in June but it is likely that he won't complete his time at Old Trafford. United won't stand in his way if he finds a new club. It is not known whether they would ask for a fee, which could hamper Cavani's chances of moving on.

Cavani's agent: "Obviously, if Edinson receives an offer from Barcelona..."

André Cury, who is Cavani's agent, spoke to journalist Jorge Nicola and stressed that the player won't go to Brazil if he receives a good offer from a European club. Even so, a return to his South American homeland isn't entirely ruled out. "He's not happy at United. I know what he is like because we almost took him to Palmeiras last time. He's got his own ranch in Uruguay and he likes being close to home, so in that sense, there is a possibility. But obviouly, if he were to receive an offer from Barcelona, he wouldn't go to Brazil. If nothing comes through from Barcelona or another club playing in the Champions League, then there is a chance he could could back home," Cury said.

But the player's agent added that he feels slightly wary about Barcelona's financial situation. "We're not too sure what is happening at Barcelona. To give you an idea, I was working there when they claimed that Luis Suárez was too old and we paid what we had to so that he could leave,but then they signed Agüero, who is even older than him. It seems the club has been doing what they shouldn't for some time. Cavani is a big name playerand has the technical qualities to play at Barcelona. It could happen or not - bot because of what the club wants, but for their economic situation".