Newcastle United‘s need to strengthen within the January switch window has sparked hypothesis that the Magpies are fascinated with signing Napoli sensation, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, with the Georgia worldwide having dazzled in Italy of late.
Journalist Graeme Bailey revealed final week sporting director Dan Ashworth is “keen” on bringing the 21-year-old to St James’ Park subsequent month, albeit with the Tynesiders more likely to must fork out a hefty charge if they’re to get a deal over the road.
The suggestion is that the fleet-footed gem might value within the area of £100m had been he to be offered any time quickly, albeit with the Serie A aspect believed to be rising in confidence that phrases may be agreed relating to a contract extension.
Even regardless of that potential impediment, the previous Dinamo Batumi man – who arrived in Naples over the summer season – would certainly show an astute seize for Ashworth and co, with the teenager having lit up each Italian and European soccer within the early months of the marketing campaign.
Part of a aspect that’s seemingly marching in direction of a Scudetto triumph – having surged to eight factors clear on the summit – Kvaratskhelia has been an instrumental determine in that home dominance, with 13 purpose involvements in simply 12 top-flight matches.
The affectionately named ‘Kvaradona‘ – in homage to the late, great Diego Maradona – was also a leading presence for Luciano Spalletti’s aspect within the Champions League group stage, with five purpose contributions in simply 5 outings.
The “untamed” asset – as lauded by New York Times correspondent, Rory Smith – has been an actual breath of recent air to this point this season, having emerged from a relative unknown right into a family title in double-quick time.
Any fears over whether or not he would be capable to replicate that kind within the Premier League may be eased by the truth that the 19-cap menace shares quite a few stylistic and statistical similarities with Tottenham Hotspur talisman, Heung-min Son, in response to FBref.
Not solely do the 2 males wreak havoc from the left flank, however they’re additionally alike in their ruthlessness from open play, with Kvaratskhelia notably rating within the top 6% in Europe amongst these in his place for non-penalty targets, whereas Son ranks within the top 4% in that very same metric.
That similarity can be evident by the truth that the latter man averages 2.2 key passes per recreation within the league this season, whereas the one-time Rubin Kazan ace is just barely decrease as he averages 1.9 key passes per recreation, illustrating their inventive aptitude.
To be capable to land a Son-esque determine would definitely be an actual coup for the Magpies, with the Spurs sensation having been a really constant menace in English soccer lately, scoring 136 targets and registering 76 assists in 344 video games for the Lilywhites up to now.
The 30-year-old has additionally been a relentless thorn within the aspect of Newcastle over time with six purpose involvements in simply 13 conferences, having usually tormented the northeast aspect along with his dynamic brilliance and scientific nature in entrance of purpose.
As such, it might show an actual bonus to have the ability to safe their own reply to the South Korea worldwide within the type of Kvaratskhelia, with Ashworth needing to make signing the Georgian wizard a predominant goal for the New Year.
