Newcastle United know exactly how good Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is, but that does not necessarily mean they will be able to sign him in 2024.
The 22-year-old is back on the Magpies’ radar after it was reported that Toon scouts went to watch him play for Georgia during the international break. They watched him score against Spain, as he gave them a fresh reminder of why he is one of the brightest talents in world football today.
But Newcastle already knew that. They have been on his case since the end of last year, with the Magpies previously planning to try and bring the winger to the club in 2023 for £50million.
With just over a month to go in 2023, a deal for Kvaratskhelia is not going to come to fruition. And it sounds like a transfer in 2024 could be out of the question as well.
Napoli plan to keep Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
That is because journalist Ben Jacobs has provided an update on Kvaratskhelia’s future at Napoli via his official X (formerly know as Twitter) account.
He wrote: “Understand there’s nothing major in the Chelsea links with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Loads of top clubs well aware of his talent, including #MCFC and #NUFC. Napoli want to keep Kvaratskhelia, and don’t plan to lose him and Victor Osimhen in 2024. Latter more likely to leave.”
With regards to Chelsea targeting the Napoli superstar, Jacobs appears to be referring to an ESPN story that claimed the Blues have joined the list of clubs keen on him.
Bad news for Newcastle
The interesting thing to note from Jacobs is that Napoli do not plan to sell Kvaratskhelia in 2024. They also want to keep star striker Victor Osimhen, who has also been linked with the Magpies in the past.
The Serie A champions are hoping to keep their two top stars, but it appears that one is more likely to leave than the other in 2024. That is what Jacobs suggests, with Osimhen being the one who is tipped to depart.
That is bad news for Newcastle, whose attack would be transformed with the arrival of Kvaratskhelia. Just imagine how good we would be with him alongside Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
But, in truth, a deal for someone so talented is always going to be difficult. If Newcastle do make a move for him, they will have to fend off interest from some of the world’s biggest clubs.
On top of that, they will also likely have to pay a club record fee, with a recent report stating that Kvaratskhelia is valued at £87million.
Newcastle may admire Kvaratskhelia, but they might have to keep admiring him from afar.
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