Three European giants ruled out of Kvaratskhelia race in huge Newcastle, Man City transfer boost

Reported Newcastle United target Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will not join another Italian club should he leave Napoli, according to his agent.

Kvaratskhelia is one of the most in-form players in world football.

He joined Napoli for a measly €10million last summer and is already worth ten times that amount given his incredible performances for the Serie A leaders.

The 19-cap Georgian international has 11 goals and 14 assists in 23 matches across all competitions as the Naples outfit sit top of the Serie A and cruised through to the last-16 of the Champions League.

Napoli’s convincing form has actually resulted in a few pundits tipping them to win the Champions League this term, with the Italian title looking wrapped up with 16 games left.

They are currently 15 points clear of second-placed Inter Milan having only lost one and drawn two of their opening 22 league encounters.

Gli Azzurri’s form has been relentless and they have Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen to thank for their strong league position.

Both players are obviously being strongly linked with a transfer in the summer window, and you would expect Napoli to receive at least £100m for each player.

Newcastle are believed to be interested in signing the Georgian winger, who would be a statement signing.

The Magpies’ Premier League finish this term should hugely impact their summer transfer window. If they fail to qualify for the Champions League, it would be hard to envision Kvaratskhelia leaving Napoli to join them.

Having said that, the player – a reported Manchester City target – is unlikely to stay in Italy should Napoli sell him.

This is according to his agent, Mamuka Jugheli, who has effectively ruled out the likes of Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus.

Jugheli told Calcio Napoli 24: “There is lot of interest from other clubs but Kvara doesn’t think of any other club. He thinks only of winning the Scudetto and Napoli’s matches in the Champions League.

“He’ll take care of bringing happiness to the Neapolitans.

“Kvara loves Napoli. He loves being there. He told me that in terms of football in Italy, he only sees himself in Naples. He will never play in any other Italian club, apart from Napoli.”

Newcastle did sign Anthony Gordon from Everton for £45million last month and still have Allan Saint-Maximin at the club, so it is unclear what position head coach Eddie Howe will be prioritising in the summer.

While he has formed a solid partnership with Sven Botman, I feel that Fabian Schar is a player who can easily be replaced, while a new defensive midfielder feels imperative.

Bruno Guimaraes has been absolutely fantastic since joining from Lyon last January, but he could be even better if he is able to play alongside a No. 6.

World-class players in this position are very hard to come by. In the Premier League, there are debatebly only three in Casemiro, Rodri and Thomas Partey.

Brighton’s Moises Caicedo is a player who has the potential to be in that bracket and would be an excellent signing for the Geordies, in my opinion.

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