Arsenal lost the fight for Mikhail Mudrik to Chelsea, refusing to pay the 100-110 million euros required by Shakhtar, but according to the European media, the Gunners have a backup plan, and an interesting one at that.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is Arsenal’s new target
Jeremy Pino (Villarreal), Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen), Rafinha (Barcelona) are shortlisted for Arsenal, which is in dire need of an increase in attack, as several attacking players were injured at once. However, the most priority, but at the same time the least realistic, seems to be the option with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Georgian winger was paired with Arsenal when he played for Rubin, but if the RPL’s move to the Premier League seemed ambiguous then, now there is almost no doubt that Khvicha will not fail in England. Unlike Mudrik, Kvaratskhelia has already adapted to great European football, and he did it in the best possible way: 7 + 7 in the goal + pass system during the middle of the season. According to bookmakers, Kvaratskhelia is already in the top 10 Ballon d’Or nominees.
In July, his transfer to Napoli cost 10 million euros, but in six months his transfer increased to 60 million euros, and knowing the head of the Italian team Aurelio De Laurentiis, he will definitely ask for at least 100 million euros, which, he only demanded. Shakhtar for Mudrik. Blackmailing and putting pressure on Napoli with the imminent termination of Khvichi’s contract will not work either, his contract is valid until the summer of 2027.
Does Hvicha need it?
In a few months, Kvaratskhelia became the idol of the Napoli fans, which few players can achieve. Napoli almost pray for the Georgian, and he responds in kind, scoring or assisting in almost every game. Right now, Napoli can be considered the best Italian team and one of the best in the world, which at the moment is “lucky” with nine points in Serie A. The end of the season is far away, but Khvicha can be one of the main architects of getting the Scudetto, something that Napoli has not achieved since 1990.
Kvaratskhelia is unlikely to be ready to trade all his happiness for a controversial transfer to Arsenal. This transition could be allowed if we were talking about Real Madrid, of which Khvicha is a fan, and that he can instantly pay as much as is demanded of him, but the London club clearly does not fit these criteria.
A much more logical solution for Khvichi is to re-sign a new contract with Napoli on better terms, but with a reasonable amount of compensation, so that in the event of a regression from the Italian club, Kvaratskhelia does not become its hostage, but could move to a top club, including “Arsenal” if interest continues.
