Newcastle United reportedly want to sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but it is going to take some effort from Dan Ashworth to bring the winger to St James’ Park.
He was first linked with a move to the Magpies last week. The Times reported that the 21-year-old is now a top target for Eddie Howe in 2023, with Newcastle looking to sign him in January or at the end of the season.
They added that Newcastle have already done character checks on the Georgian forward, who is valued at £50million.
Kvaratskhelia, who has been called ‘exciting‘ by Gary Lineker, would be a blockbuster signing for Newcastle. He has been amazing since his move to Napoli, and is leading their charge for the Serie A title.
His goals and assists could help the Naples side make history, and that is exactly why director Cristiano Guintoli has said Newcastle have no chance of signing him.
Toon Sporting Director Ashworth will hope to change his mind, but Give Me Sport’s Dean Jones has provided an update on one thing Newcastle must do if their pursuit of Kvaratskhelia is to be successful.
What Newcastle must do to sign Kvaratskhelia
Journalist Dean Jones has spoke to Give Me Sport about Newcastle’s interest in Kvaratskhelia, and has admitted that a deal might be dependent on Howe’s side qualifying for the Champions League.
“So then when the time does come for him [Kvaratskhelia] to actually move on, it depends what situation Newcastle are in and what profile they’ve got,” he said.
“If they’ve got Champions League football, if they’ve got Europa League football because he is going to have big Champions League clubs knocking on the door, and he’s already at a club that is in a very good place.”
Magpies in with a chance of top four
Luckily for Newcastle, Champions League qualification is very much in their own hands at the moment. With the Premier League set to resume on Boxing Day, Newcastle sit third in the table after 15 games.
There is still a long way to go – 23 games, no less – but Howe’s side are well placed to challenge for the top four as the season continues.
No one expected Newcastle to do this well this season. But now a return to European football is very much on the cards. And there is even a chance that they could play in club football’s elite competition – the Champions League.
If they do qualify, it will open up a whole new world of transfers for Ashworth and co. The club will suddenly be even more appealing, and allow them to tempt an even higher calibre of player to St James’ Park.
Kvaratskhelia falls into that bracket. There is surely no way he would leave Napoli for a club that isn’t competing in the Champions League, and he is going to have a lot of clubs vying for his signature.
If Newcastle are to have any chance of signing him, they need to qualify for the Champions League.
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