PSG wanted Cavani not Rooney

JULY 18, 2013  

Edinson Cavani

Khelaifi has revealed that Edinson Cavani was always the club’s primary transfer target this summer, ahead of Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney.

Cavani completed the €64m signing of the Uruguay star on Tuesday after weeks of speculation over the forward’s future, during which time Rooney was also linked with the French champion.

However, Al-Khelaifi has clarified that Cavani was always the number one choice for Laurent Blanc’s side, and insisted the 26-year-old was not motivated to make the move by money.

When asked whether Rooney or Cavani had been the top target, Al-Khelaifi told Le Parisien, “Of course Cavani was our first choice, the coach’s, Leonardo’s and mine. He really wanted to come to Paris, although other big clubs wanted him. If he had not believed in the project, he would not have come.

“Cavani did not chose Paris for the money, believe me 100 percent. He believes in the project, he believes that, with us, he will be able to win many titles.”