Manchester City suffer major blow in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia pursuit

Transfer chiefs at the Etihad Stadium will have a significant battle on their hands in the race to sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli this summer.

The 22 year-old Napoli forward is expected to be one of the most in-demand players in the upcoming summer transfer window, after one of the most remarkable debut seasons in recent memory for the Naples-based club.

Across 26 appearances in all competitions so far this season, the Georgia international has provided an impressive 12 goals, complimented by a further 15 assists – playing an integral role in Napoli’s runaway 18-point lead at the top of the Italian top-flight.

With many clubs requiring more quality in wide positions – especially Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is likely to be at the very top of transfer wishlists, despite the Serie A club in a strong negotiating position.

This week, two Premier League clubs – including the reigning English top-flight champions – are said to be joined by potential suitors from both Ligue 1 and La Liga when it comes to former FC Dinamo Batumi star.

That is according to the information of journalist Ben Jacobs, who report that Manchester City and Newcastle United are two English clubs ‘keeping close tabs’ on Napoli’s Kvaratskhelia, while the Georgian sensation is also drawing attention from PSG and Real Madrid.

However, in a significant blow to Manchester City and other interested parties, it is firmly stated that Napoli do not want to sell the 22 year-old, and do not want a summer transfer window where they lose their star winger alongside striking sensation Victor Osimhen.

As for the view from the players side, Ben Jacobs reports that Kvaratskhelia himself is not yet eyeing up a Napoli exit, while the notion that he could become available this summer for £50 million is described as being ‘a bit of a myth’.

While Napoli have been seen to drive hard negotiations with clubs in the past – namely Manchester City – it is further clarified that there is no case of them deliberately driving up the forward’s price. In fact, Jacobs reports that the Serie A giants simply ‘do not want to engage’.

But what about from the side of the player’s agent? On that front, it is stated that his representative is exploring the market as part of ‘a normal due diligence’.

Despite Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s young age, runaway Serie A leaders Napoli are the sixth club of his professional career, following spells with Dinamo Tbilisi, Rustavi, Lokomotiv Moscow (loan), Rubin Kazan, Dinamo Batumi, and Naples.

His current employers confirmed the signing of Kvaratskhelia just last summer in a deal reportedly worth a between €10 million and €12 million, and any move forward from the club this summer could earn the Serie A giants an enormous profit on their initial outlay.

Given the current transfer valuations in the football market at present, it would come as no surprise to see Khvicha Kvaratskhelia command a transfer fee well in excess of the £100 million mark.