Manager claims Tottenham had ‘a lot of doubts’ about signing winger now likened to Mohamed Salah

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Tottenham wanted Khvicha Kvaratskhelia but his former manager Leonid Slutsky has suggested that Spurs had ‘a lot of doubts’ about a deal.

Kvaratskhelia has been one of the top performers in the early weeks of the 2022-23 season around most of Europe.

The Georgian winger joined Napoli this past summer and has absolutely dazzled with four goals and one assist in seven Serie A games.

Kvaratskhelia ran Liverpool ragged in the Champions League earlier this month too, putting his quality onto the big stage.

Tottenham wanted Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

The 21-year-old gave Trent Alexander-Arnold no end of problems that night and defenders – both at Liverpool and with other Premier League clubs – will be glad that a move to England didn’t pan out.

A number of English clubs were linked with Kvaratskhelia during his time at Rubin Kazan but one of the main suitors was Tottenham Hotspur.

Sky Sports reported in the summer of 2021 that Tottenham wanted Kvaratskhelia but needed to sell before they could buy the Georgian.

Agent Mamuka Dzhugeli suggested earlier this year that Tottenham only wanted a loan deal for Kvaratskhelia – a move the player himself rejected.

Tottenham may now feel a little foolish given that Kvaratskhelia is shining in Italy and showing the potential to become an absolute superstar.

Thierry Henry has raved about Kvaratskhelia whilst former England boss Fabio Capello has compared Kvaratskhelia to Mohamed Salah.

This looks to be a real gaffe from Fabio Paratici and co, with former Rubin boss Leonid Slutsky now offering more about Tottenham’s interest.

Slutsky has told Fabrizio Romano’s Here We Go Podcast that he felt Tottenham had a ‘lot of doubts’ about signing Kvaratskhelia.

Slutsky believes Kvaratskhelia’s raw stats didn’t look at that impressive and Tottenham mat have backed way because they thought he couldn’t immediately push for first-team action.

“After a very successful season with Rubin, there was a lot of gossip around him, and not only gossip – some clubs were really interested,” said Slutsky. “But because of price… he’s not a cheap player. To me it was normal money, but to be honest, for a young player, only after his first season… he didn’t have fantastic statistics. It was only four goals and three assists, which is not fantastic statistics.”

“I think some clubs had a lot of doubts, especially a club like Tottenham. You usually bring in players who exactly will play in the starting XI immediately, you want to take players who are 100% in the starting XI,” he added.