Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti has praised Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for his desire to improve. In doing so, he answers Newcastle United’s question while they target his transfer in January.
According to The Times, the Toon are checking out the Georgian forward’s character after frequent scouting missions this season. Newcastle regularly had staff attend Napoli games before the World Cup break to run the rule on the 21-year-old as they considered a move.
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Now, Kvaratskhelia is among Magpies boss Eddie Howe’s top targets for the January sales. Newcastle will also keep the winger near the top of their shopping list if they fail to secure a move this winter. Even though the Azzurri want to net £50m for their £10m summer signing.
Kvaratskhelia only joined Napoli from Dinamo Batumi in July but has burst onto the scene as one of Serie A’s best wingers. The 19-cap dynamo has six goals and seven assists in 12 games in Italy’s top-flight. He also hit two and created three in five Champions League ties.
Newcastle’s scouts reported extremely favourably to Howe on Kvaratskhelia’s potential as a Premier League forward after watching him at Napoli. But the 6 ft 1 winger is also sought by Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Napoli also wish to extend his contract beyond 2027.
Spalletti answers Newcastle’s lingering question on Napoli star Kvaratskhelia
One of the lingering questions Newcastle had on Kvaratskhelia after scouting the forward was the Napoli star’s character. While the Toon’s talent spotters gushed over his ability to see Howe put the winger among his top targets, the Magpies wanted to understand him.
Azzurri head coach Spalletti has seemingly done the St James’ Park outfit’s work for them now, though. The Napoli boss lauded Kvaratskhelia’s character after facing LOSC Lille in a friendly on Wednesday. They do not return to Serie A action until January 4 at Inter Milan.
“Compared to the match against Villarreal [on Saturday, December 17], I kept him on the pitch for more playing time just to make him grow and he seems to be improving,” Napoli boss Spalletti told Sky Sports Italia. “The boy is an exemplary professional.”
Kvaratskhelia turns 22 on February 12 but has 10 goals across his 19 games for Georgia so far. Six of his attempts, along with five of his six assists, have come in UEFA Nations League fixtures. He also scored against Spain in a 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifier in March 2021.
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