Manchester City are reportedly targeting Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to address the “inconsistencies” of Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku. The Premier League champions are said to be willing to invest “whatever is necessary” to secure the Georgian star.
### City’s Struggles This Season
City’s season has fallen short of their usual high standards. After winning the Premier League in each of the past four seasons, they now trail leaders Liverpool by nine points—a gap they are unaccustomed to overcoming.
According to *Fichajes*, City are prioritizing reinforcements for their attacking line, particularly on the wings, due to Grealish and Doku’s inconsistent form. The club has reportedly made contact with Kvaratskhelia’s representatives, positioning themselves as leading contenders for his signature.
### Kvaratskhelia’s Value and Suitability
Described as a “perfect fit” for Guardiola’s system, Kvaratskhelia is valued at £83 million (€100m/$105.8m). While Napoli are unlikely to let him go easily, City are prepared to pay whatever it takes to bring him to the Etihad.
However, competition for the winger will be fierce. Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United have all been linked with the 23-year-old. United are reportedly offering him a five-year deal worth €8 million per season, but City’s financial muscle could give them the edge in the transfer battle.
### Manchester City’s Transfer Plans
City are also pursuing a transformative signing in defense, with Tottenham’s Cristian Romero reportedly on their radar to bolster the backline. In addition, Rodri has publicly endorsed a move for Spanish winger Nico Williams, describing him as a player he’d take “without a doubt.”
On the other hand, some of City’s ageing stars, including Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva, and Ilkay Gundogan, may be on their way out. Walker has been linked with a return to his boyhood club, Sheffield United.
### The Rise of Kvaratskhelia
Kvaratskhelia’s journey to stardom has been remarkable:
– **2017**: Debuted for Dinamo Tbilisi at 16 and scored his first senior goal later that year.
– **2019**: Won the Russian Cup with Lokomotiv Moscow and signed permanently with Rubin Kazan.
– **2021**: Named Russian Premier League Young Player of the Season for the second consecutive year.
– **2022**: Returned to Georgia during the Ukraine-Russia conflict, then joined Napoli for €10 million after impressing with Dinamo Batumi.
– **2023**: Helped Napoli win Serie A with 12 goals and 13 assists, earning the Serie A MVP, Goal of the Season, and Champions League Young Player of the Season awards.
– **2024**: Scored his first major international tournament goal, leading Georgia to a 2-0 win over Portugal at Euro 2024.
Kvaratskhelia’s blend of skill, creativity, and goal-scoring ability makes him an attractive prospect for Manchester City as they look to reinvigorate their squad and challenge for silverware on all fronts.
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