Carlo Cancellieri - Roberto Mancini's eyes in Italy - also revealed the City was an admirer of Napoli's Argentina striker Ezequiel Lavezzi and Slovakia midfielder Marek Hamsik, but singled out Cavani for his highest praise.
City have been tipped to make a move for the Uruguay hot shot in January as a replacement for Carlos Tevez, though Chelsea and Tottenham are also keen on him.
You're a top guy: Edinson Cavani is attracting interest from a host of top clubs
Reports in Italy suggest Napoli will demand ?35million for the 24-year-old, who hit 33 goals last season and has netted six times this season, including a goal at the Etihad Stadium when Napoli held City to a 1-1 draw in the Champions League.
? Cancellieri told Radio Crc: 'Mancini has always praised Lavezzi, Hamsik and Cavani, and the Uruguayan has always been my obsession because he is a player I like very much.
'He is the strongest forward in the Italian league after Zlatan Ibrahimovic. His agent knows about City's interest in him.'
The Copa America winner, who would want more than ?50,000 a week after tax, this week admitted he would relish playing alongside Mario Balotelli - albeit for Napoli.
Audition: Cavani has already scored against Manchester City this season
'Balotelli said he would like to come to Napoli,' said Cavani. 'I would love to play with him, we would make a good partnership.'
Chelsea scout Mick Doherty is also believed to be a regular observer of Cavani as Andre Villas-Boas targets replacements for Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.
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Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail