Serie A leaders Napoli will double Kvicha Kvaratskhelia’s wages to keep him out of the clutches of Premier League trio Newcastle United, Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur, reporter Ciro Venerato tells Rai Sport.
The fact that Kvaratskhelia earns just £20,000-a-week at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is a stark reminder of how far he has come in less than 12 months. The Georgia international arrived not as a readymade superstar but as something of a punt; Napoli taking a £9 million gamble on a player who joined from Dinamo Batumi in his Eastern European homeland.
It is only fair, then, that Kvaratskhelia’s remarkable rise is reflected by his bank balance. Napoli, Venerato says, will offer to double the 22-year-old’s salary.
Of course, Kvaratskhelia could still earn a whole lot more than £40,000-a-week in the Premier League. But his love of life in Southern Italy means there is a confidence the one-time Leeds United target will be sticking around to disprove any theories of a ‘one season wonder’.
Newcastle, Arsenal and Tottenham like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
“We are optimistic about Kvaratskhelia,” says Venerato, an expert in all things Partenopei. “The player wants to stay in Naples regardless of (interest from) Real Madrid or Newcastle.”
“Napoli are preparing an offer for the renewal of the Georgian’s contract. The offer will be 2.5 million euros plus a series of rich bonuses. (They will) extend the contract by one year, making it five years without a release clause.”
Kvaratskhelia, The Chronicle say, is high on the radar of a Newcastle side on the lookout for more creative talent; a rock-solid defence often undermined by an inconsistent attack. Arsenal could move for the former Rubin Kazan whizzkid after missing out on Mykhaylo Mudryk (90Min). Tottenham Hotspur are also long-time admirers of a player Fabio Paratici tried and failed to sign for Juventus.
Kvaratskhelia took his tally to 12 goals for the season with a stunning solo effort in Napoli’s 2-0 win at Sassuolo on Friday night.
He is, according to former Partonepei ace Roberto Sosa, the ‘best player in Europe’.
“This is a phenomenon. I saw Manchester City and (Jack) Grealish can’t even tie his left boot. Kvara is phenomenal!” adds ex-Italy ace Antonio Cassano.
“He defends, he assists. And now, he has consistency during the game that one does not expect. I hope for the Neapolitans that he will stay for a long time. But I think (Europe’s biggest clubs) will knock immediately to get him.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
