‘Incredibly difficult’ – Journalist rates Newcastle, City’s chances of signing ‘prolific’ 17-goal winger
Ben Jacobs thinks it will be ‘incredibly difficult’ for Newcastle United or Manchester City to sign Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this summer.
Kvaratskhelia moved to Napoli from Dinamo Batumi for £8.5million last summer and is one of the most in-form players in world football.
The Georgian winger has developed an outstanding partnership with Victor Osimhen as the Naples outfit look set to win their first Serie A title since 1990.
Napoli paid absolute peanuts for the 22-year-old – who is now surely worth around £100m.
In 20 Serie A matches this term, Kvaratskhelia has provided 21 goal contributions with a league title all but secured.
It is no surprise to see Premier League clubs add the youngster to their transfer wishlist.
Newcastle have been linked with Kvaratskhelia for quite a while and you get the impression that he would be perfect in their system under Eddie Howe.
According to Ben Jacobs, Magpies boss Howe does see the Georgian international as a ‘fit’ due to his ‘technical ability’, ‘pace’, and because he is ‘natural in a 4-3-3’.
City and Newcastle are both ‘keeping close tabs’ on Kvaratskhelia – who has ‘developed a prolific partnership’ with Nigerian striker Osimhen.
Unsurprisingly, Napoli do not want to sell, especially should Osimhen leave the club first.
A summer where they lose both of their star players is surely unthinkable, and if one leaves, they will not be financially dependent on the sale of the other player.
They ‘both enjoy playing together’ and ‘Kvaratskhelia isn’t yet eyeing up a Napoli exit’, though his agent is ‘exploring the market as part of a normal due diligence’.
Jacobs believes Napoli are the ‘perfect club’ for the winger at this moment and time and says ‘it’s going to be incredibly difficult’ to sign him this summer.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has said Napoli will not entertain any negotiations for Kvaratskhelia.
“He’s doing fantastic with Napoli. So congrats again to Napoli because Kvaratskhelia, in Serie A and Champions League, is always performing at a super level,” Romano said on his YouTube channel.
“Fantastic, fantastic player. What’s the point?
“I always see many rumours and many of you asking me about Kvaratskhelia and Man United, Kvaratskhelia and Chelsea, Kvaratskhelia and Real Madrid and many others.
“But guys at the moment, and trust me it’s not usual to say something like that, Napoli don’t want to open negotiation or to speak to any club or any agent.“
A report coming from Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport says Napoli will double the player’s wage in order to fend off interest from Newcastle and co.
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