Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli insists that there is ‘no chance’ Kvicha Kvaratskhelia leaves the Serie A leaders in January when quizzed about reported interest from Premier League high-flyers Newcastle United, speaking to Sport Express.
In Naples, Diego Maradona was almost akin to a walking, talking, Scudetto-winning messiah. So Kvaratskhelia’s ‘Kvaradona’ nickname should not be taken for granted.
On the banks of the Tyrrhenian Sea, it’s about as flattering a compliment as you could ever hope to receive. Like Liverpool supporters decrying you the second coming of Steven Gerrard after just six months at Anfield.
Kvaratskhelia’s impact has been so remarkable, so instantaneous, that arguably no player has left a greater mark on his new club over the last 12 months. The Georgian international, a relative unknown before his arrival, has 18 goals and assists in just 17 games.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. His performances have been nothing short of scintillating; Kvaratskhelia sharing Maradona’s penchant for twisting poor full-backs into pretzel-shaped husks.
According to The Times, Kvaratskhelia’s price-tag has risen as sharply as his reputation; from £10 million to £50 million since swapping Dinamo Batumi for Napoli. Even the loftiest of offers are unlikely to be accepted in January, however, with the Partenopei dreaming of their first Serie A title since Maradona’s heyday.
Newcastle United want Khvicha Kvaratskhelia but Serie A leaders Napoli will not sell
“Newcastle’s interest in Kvicha? There is no chance that we will let him go, despite the amount of the offer,” Giuntoli explains.
Compared not only to Argentina’s 1986 World Cup winning talisman but also Liverpool superstar Mo Salah and Bayern Munich legends Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, Kvaratkhelia could have joined either Leeds United or Tottenham Hotspur before sealing that bargain move to Italy last summer. Leeds held talks when Kvaratskhelia was at Rubin Kazan. Fabio Paratici, meanwhile, wanted Kvaratskhelia at both Spurs and Juventus.
The Times, meanwhile, believe he is now a leading target for a Newcastle side looking to add more creativity and unpredictability to their frontline. Leicester City’s James Maddison is another.
“Kalidou Koulibaly, Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens left at the same time. I was blown away by that,” Napoli legend Marek Hamsik tells Pazzi di Fanta.
“On one hand, this is a huge loss for the club. On the other hand, new excellent players came. Kim Min-Jae, Khvicha Khvaratskhelia and Victor Osimkhen. From Kvicha, I did not expect such a breakthrough. He probably surprised everyone. He is an incredible dribbler.”
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