Newcastle United want Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and boss Eddie Howe allegedly believes he is perfect for how the Magpies set up.
That’s according to Ben Jacobs from CBS Sports, who claims that a host of clubs really want Kvaratskhelia.
Jacobs, speaking to Caught Offside, suggested that Paris Saint-German, Real Madrid and Manchester City are all keen.
Yet there is strong interest from Newcastle too and it’s suggested that boss Howe thinks Kvaratskhelia is ideal for the Magpies.
Kvaratskhelia’s pace as well as his suitability to play as a left winger in a 4-3-3 have seemingly caught Howe’s eye.
The problem for Newcastle is the potential price tag.
Napoli would demand up to £100million for Kvaratskhelia, but that isn’t them opening the door to a move.
Napoli don’t want to lose both Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen so any Newcastle deal will be very tricky.
“Manchester City and Newcastle are two Premier League clubs keeping close tabs on Kvaratskhelia,” said Jacobs. “He is also drawing attention from PSG and Real Madrid. Eddie Howe, in particular, sees Kvaratskhelia as a fit because he’s fast, technical and a natural in a 4-3-3. Napoli don’t want to sell. It really is as simple as that. And they definitely don’t want a summer where they let Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia go.”
“Kvaratskhelia isn’t yet eyeing up a Napoli exit. And the idea he’ll be available for £50m is a bit of a myth. It wouldn’t surprise me if Napoli value him at close to double that. But this isn’t a case of Napoli offering up a price to suitors. They don’t want to engage. Kvaratskhelia’s agent is exploring the market as part of a normal due diligence. There’s no doubt he’ll have plenty of summer options. But Napoli is the perfect club for Kvaradona right now,” he added.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia would be enormous coup for Newcastle
To say that Kvaratskhelia has taken Europe by storm this season would be an understatement.
The Georgian winger wasn’t exactly a household name when he joined Napoli over the summer.
Formerly of Rubin Kazan, Kvaratskhelia had a spell back in Georgia before heading to Naples.
Now affectionately known as ‘Kvaradona’, the 22-year-old has racked up 12 goals in and 13 assists in just 26 games for Napoli this season.
Kvaratskhelia has been so good that he has been hailed as ‘the best player in Europe’ by former Napoli striker Roberto Sosa.
Kvaratskhelia’s dribbling ability has left many defenders red-faced and it’s no surprise Newcastle fancy him.
You can certainly imagine him taking that left-sided role in Newcastle’s attack but convincing Napoli to sell would be very, very difficult.
This kind of deal would show the established Premier League elite that Newcastle mean business – and Howe would seemingly love it to happen.
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