Manchester City are going head-to-head with Real Madrid for Napoli star Edinson Cavani. And behind City's bid is former Barcelona execs Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain.

The Sun says City chiefs hope Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko will be the key to completing the swoop.

They have held talks with the Italians over a swap deal, which would keep down the fee, and also take an existing big-money earner off the payroll.

But the fear at City is the glamour and appeal of joining Real Madrid, the world's most famous and successful club, could yet sway Cavani's final decision.