Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing highly-rated Napoli winger and Liverpool target, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, after missing out on Chelsea new boy Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The Gunners were considered favourites to sign the Ukrainian international after having personal terms agreed with Mudryk for over a month. However, Chelsea tabled a higher offer and confirmed their coup mid-way through their 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Now, Mikel Arteta will have to look elsewhere for a top-quality attacking recruit and has now put 21-year old Kvaratskhelia on his shortlist.
This is according to 90Min, who claim that Arsenal have now joined Liverpool in the race for the Napoli golden boy.
Like Mudryk, Kvaratskhelia is considered to be one of the most promising young attackers in Europe at the moment and has been sensational for Napoli since joining the club at the start of the season.
In 20 appearances in all competitions, the Georgia international has scored nine goals, along with making 12 assists, giving him an incredible average of 1.05 goal contributions per game.
His performances have been key to Napoli’s success this season, who currently sit nine points clear at the top of the Serie A.
If he can bring that winning mentality to the Emirates, Kvaratskhelia could prove to be an incredible signing for Arsenal.
Although, he could end up commanding an even larger transfer fee than Mudryk, as Napoli do not want to sell their star man.
Kvaratskhelia deal seems near-impossible
Chelsea reportedly signed Mudryk on a deal worth up to €100m (approx. £88m), which is considerably more than the Gunners were willing to pay.
However, it seems that any winter deal for Kvaratskhelia would also require a mega-sum, with the report claiming that Napoli would demand ‘in excess of £100m’ for their star player.
In addition, Napoli have also made it clear that they do not want to see the Georgian leave Naples, so there is no guarantee the winger would be allowed to leave even if a bid of that amount were tabled.
There are plenty of clubs keen to sign Kvaratskhelia: Tottenham have made Kvaratskhelia one of their top targets, while Newcastle United and Liverpool are also interested in the Georgian after he impressed in the Champions League against the Reds.
It’s easy to see why there’s so much competition; looking at the stats, the Napoli winger has been just as prolific as Mudryk and also at a much higher standard.
Kvaratskhelia has 21 goal involvements in 20 outings for Napoli so far, compared to a combined 18 goals and assists in as many games for the former Shakhtar Donetsk man.
A versatile player with the ability to play on either wing or as a second striker, the Georgia international could provide cover in several positions for Arsenal and provide competition for the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
But, with Napoli’s current stance it seems highly unlikely that Kvaratskhelia will be heading to the Premier League any time soon,
Perhaps Arsenal’s only hope is that the player’s head gets turned and he attempts to force a move away from Italy, At the moment, however, there is no indication of that happening.
