Chelsea have reportedly joined the likes of Manchester City and Newcastle in the race to sign Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Chelsea news, exclusives and analysis
Real Madrid and Barcelona are also said to be keeping tabs on the winger who enjoyed a fantastic maiden season in Naples in 2022/23.
Kvaratskhelia scored 14 goals and made 17 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions, as Napoli stormed to the Serie A title.
His efforts saw him named Serie A Most Valuable Player and Champions League Young Player of the Season, and he also finished 17th in the Ballon d’Or, ahead of the likes of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
It is no wonder then that interest in the 22-year-old, who has eight goal contributions in 15 games so far this season, is so high.
ESPN report that Chelsea are tracking the Georgia international but will face competition from the four aforementioned sides.
Given how Todd Boehly’s transfer strategy has centred around recruiting highly-rated young talents, this should not come as a shock though the Blues are not expected to make a move for Kvaratskhelia just yet.
For starters, Mauricio Pochettino’s more pressing priority is to sign a centre-forward, with the likes of Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Kvaratskhelia’s Napoli teammate Victor Osimhen on his radar.
Chelsea’s squad already contains plenty of wingers and attacking midfielders like Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer.
Moreover, with a net spend of over £692million since Boehly bought the club, the Blues may have to hold off on big money signings in order to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
And Kvaratskhelia will certainly be a big money signing with Napoli valuing him at over €100m (£87m) and it is said that talks over extending his contract beyond its current 2027 expiry are going well.
Moreover, Chelsea may not even have it in their budget to sign him should they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season.
Pochettino’s side are currently 10th in the table, 10 points off the top four, and face a tricky trip to Newcastle on Saturday.
MORE : Gary Neville has his say on Jurgen Klopp vs Pep Guardiola debate
MORE : Steve Bruce reveals how close Manchester United were to signing Newcastle star Sean Longstaff
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
