Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has attracted interest from Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur in a transfer. Now he has also been likened to George Best.
The 22-year-old has been a revelation since moving to Serie A from Dinamo Batumi for just £10m last July. Kvaratskhelia penned his 10th goal of the season so far this Friday as Napoli won 2-0 at Sassuolo. He has also laid on 11 assists during 19 Italian top-flight appearances.
Kvaratskhelia broke the deadlock at the Mapei Stadium after just 12 minutes as the winger produced a sensational solo effort. The 19-cap Georgia winger beat Maxime Lopez for the ball on the half-way line. He then rode Armand Lauriente’s challenge to charge to the area.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia thrills in Napoli’s win to earn comparisons to George Best
Sassuolo made the costly mistake of letting Kvaratskhelia advance as their defenders stood off the forward. He would then toy with Martin Erlic to fashion space to shoot and rolled a shot into the bottom corner. Andrea Consigli was helpless to save Kvaratskhelia’s attempt.
Kvaratskhelia was a constant threat during Napoli’s win at Sassuolo to enchant some in the Italian media. TuttoMercatoWEB even likens the winger to the iconic Italian alpine ski racer Alberto Tomba for his goal. His hit also drew comparisons to Manchester United icon Best.
“The goal is to rub your eyes,” they wrote. “A descent to Alberto Tomba or, if you want, to George Best with the usual acrobatic dribbling that sits three opponents on the occasion.
“Everything else instead is like a magician. When he has it, the ball disappears and then reappears; and he always takes the rabbit out of the hat.”
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is also now a transfer target of Arsenal and Tottenham
Kvaratskhelia has also mesmerised many Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham since his transfer to Napoli. 90min reports the Gunners are scouting the 6ft dynamo whom the Azzurri now value at in excess of £100m. The Serie A squad refused to sell this January.
While Calciomercato also claims that Liverpool and Tottenham like the forward ‘a lot’. The Daily Mail has noted that Manchester City are monitoring Kvaratskhelia, as well. Newcastle targeted a £50m move in January, too, per The Times, having captivated the Toon’s scouts.
If Arsenal, Tottenham or a rival Premier League suitor targets Kvaratskhelia’s transfer from Napoli, they may also have to battle Real Madrid. 90min has also reported that Los Blancos and Paris Saint-Germain have tasked scouts and intermediaries with taking a closer look.
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