Newcastle United had their chance to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili, and they blew it.
The Georgian goalkeeper was heavily linked with a move to St James’ Park earlier this summer, with Giorgi Mamardashvili being Newcastle’s preferred goalkeeper target.
However, a deal collapsed as Newcastle changed their goalkeeper approach. The Magpies decided Mamardashvili was too expensive, with Valencia looking to receive at least £35million for the 23-year-old.
Missing out on European football hurt Eddie Howe’s hunt for a goalkeeper, as it meant he was going to be unable to rotate two high level stoppers during the 2024/25 campaign. That resulted in Newcastle not promising Mamardashvili a guaranteed place in the starting XI, which did not go down well.
With the fee too much and the player no longer as keen, Newcastle took their business elsewhere. They plotted to sign James Trafford, and have ended up bringing in Odysseas Vlachodimos from Nottingham Forest.
What next for Giorgi Mamardashvili
Newcastle’s keeper plan was completely changed due to PSR, as Eddie Howe had wanted someone to come in and truly challenge Nick Pope. Mamardashvili certainly would have done that. In fact, his performances at Euro 2024 suggest he is already ahead of the Magpies’ current first choice stopper.
But it does not look like he will be joining Newcastle United this summer, and a new report has provided details on what could be next for Mamardashvili.
According to the Athletic, Mamardashvili wants to join an ‘elite’ club where he will be considered the first choice goalkeeper.
However, the Athletic add that he is happy to stay at Valencia if an offer like that does not arrive.
Newcastle mess up Mamardashvili pursuit
Before the Euros, it looked like Newcastle were the club that was pushing the hardest for Mamardashvili. They held talks with Valencia, as they tried to bring the Georgian to St James’ Park.
However, they did not give him the assurances that he wanted. Combine that with a lack of European football and a move to Tyneside was suddenly a lot less appealing.
Newcastle have since moved on, while Mamardashvili has done his best to prove what a mistake that was. He was immense at Euro 2024, as Georgia reached the round of 16.
He showcased elite shot-stopping ability, which suggested that Newcastle should have pushed harder for him and given him the promise of replacing Nick Pope. It would have been ruthless, but that is what the Magpies need to be.
If they had bought Mamardashvili, they would have sorted their goalkeeper situation out for at least the next 10 years. Now that position remains unclear, while the Mamardashvili to Newcastle ship may have sailed.
Of course, finances were an issue, and the Magpies only have a limited amount to spend – Newcastle have a £100million transfer budget, and want a winger and a centre-back. But not signing Mamardashvili has to be seen as a mistake, and one that Howe could rue for a long time.
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