ATLETICO MADRID do not want to wait to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani – reportedly pushing for a January move.

The Uruguayan is out of contract in the summer and is widely reported to have already agreed terms on a free transfer to La Liga.

However Atleti would prefer to snap up Cavani sooner rather than later.

According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the Madrid side sent a delegation to Paris before the weekend to discuss what an early transfer would look like.

A number of other deals need to come off before a January switch becomes plausible.

PSG are said to want a replacement in the bag with Cavani still a useful member of the first-team, contributing three goals from 11 outings this season.

Arguably more important is Atletico's need to get one of their higher earners of their books, to make room for the 32-year-old's salary.

Arsenal target Thomas Lemar is the clear favourite for such an exit with Tottenham and Lyon also linked.

Rojiblancos boss Diego Simeone admitted recently that the winger has disappointed since a £63million move from Monaco in July 2018.

The Argentine told Marca: "Facts speak better than words. Lemar is an important player who hasn't been able to develop his game but who has characteristics that others don't have.

"Let's hope he has a good moment when he comes back from injury. Now if Lemar can stay or not… we know that agents work in an exemplary way. Clubs work in function for their needs.

"He's played a lot more than he hasn't played. His characteristics have always excited me. But he hasn't been able to live up to expectations."

The final piece in the jigsaw for Cavani arriving in January would be a relatively small transfer fee being agreed between the clubs, which is not seen as a major hurdle.

Atleti returned from the winter break with a 2-1 win at Levante on Saturday and sit five points off the lead, and could certainly do with an increase in firepower with just 22 goals registered in their 19 La Liga games so far.

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