Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is one of the top-performing players in Europe right now, with Napoli sitting at the top of Serie A and transfer interest growing for their player on the left flank.
The 21-year-old is attracting interest from high-flying Newcastle United, with France legend Thierry Henry once stating that he is someone who has ‘heart and skills’ after his showing against Liverpool in the Champions League this season.
Whilst Napoli were in financial trouble over the summer and had to part ways with a few players, one man that they brought through their doors has lit up Naples.
Kvaratskhelia has six goals and seven assists from 12 Serie A games this season, including three assists and two goals in the Champions League.
His stock is certainly hitting the roof, with Premier League clubs now enquiring about the versatile forward, including Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United.
Well, earlier on in the season, whilst speaking to CBS Sports during their Champions League coverage, this is what Henry had to say about one of Europe’s in-form forwards.
“He had an amazing game,” said Henry. “The way he put pressure. The desire he had, especially on the second goal.
“I saw a player that it wasn’t just about his skill, but his desire he had and the way he pushed the ball past Trent Alexander-Arnold or the way he put pressure on Gomez, was second to none. I like that he has the awareness to see where Zielinski is and we know what happened after that with the penalty. I thought it was the right decision.
“He’s been magnificent. The run and awareness. People will say ‘well what’s so difficult about that?’ Some people don’t see what’s happening on the field and his head was always up. This guy has that little contagious thing. This is why already, the Napoli fans are in love with him.
“Yes, you can be cocky. When you play like that you can be cocky. He delivered against Liverpool, as I said he’s contagious. He has been there for a minute and the Napoli fans love him already. He has heart and skills.”
KVARATSKHELIA WOULD BE A SERIOUS COUP
Newcastle have made some top, top calls since the Saudis took over from Mike Ashley, including the purchase of Bruno Guimaraes and the transformation Eddie Howe has made on the training field.
But if they somehow manage to secure Kvaratskheila’s talents, then this would be a serious signal of intent from the Magpies.
The aim is to get into Europe and challenge for trophies, whilst fans will remain patient in all of that happening one day, as things stand, they are ahead of schedule.
Sitting in the Champions League places heading into Christmas, if Newcastle get the second half of this World Cup-interrupted season right, then they might just be playing with Europe’s elite next season.
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