Real Madrid handed a handicap in their pursuit of Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
According to Fichajes, Spanish giants Real Madrid face a difficult proposition in their efforts to sign Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The 22-year-old has been one of the driving forces behind Luciano Spalletti’s side’s charge to the Serie A title. Napoli are currently 13 points clear at the top of the Italian first division and look set to secure their first Scudetto post the Diego Maradona era.
Not only are they effective, but Napoli also employs a style of football that is easy to the eye. Victor Osimhen might be the club’s ace striker, but Kvaratskhelia is their secret weapon, creating and scoring goals with consummate ease.
With nine goals and assists apiece in Serie A, Khvicha is in the top five goalscorers list and also is the league’s top assist-getter this season. Doing so in Serie A is no mean feat, and at 22, the youngster is only likely to get better.
Real Madrid are keen to land Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham in the summer and have earmarked Kvaratskhelia as an alternative. Primarily a left-winger, the Georgian is capable of playing anywhere along the frontline.
Karim Benzema is not getting any younger and will need to be replaced. Currently, Vinicius Junior is Real Madrid’s first-choice left winger and might be shifted centrally if Kvaratskhelia is brought in. It would be poor business from the player’s point of view if he moves to the Bernabeu only to settle for a spot on the bench.
The player, for his part, has other plans and is unlikely to switch clubs this summer. He is likely to stay put in Naples, with a move looking likely in the summer of 2024. The player is not keen to move to another Italian side, meaning that a move abroad represents the most probable outcome.
Napoli are not keen to let their star man leave but could relent if a massive offer comes in. Osimhen is also subject of interest from several clubs ahead of the summer, and it remains to be seen if Napoli will entertain the thought of losing two key players in the same summer.
Kvaratskhelia has the world at his feet and can develop into one of the best players in Europe. However, patience is key, and he is better off developing his game further at Naples before moving elsewhere. Too many players have taken the leap too early, only to see their development hit a brick wall and fizzle out.
