On Saturday, Eddie Howe told the local press that our budget was “strict” as we continue to battle against FFP restrictions. Less than 24 hours later, the Italian media report that we’ve launched a big-money bid for Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
According to Corriere dello Sport, we’ve offered £82m for the electric winger following his stunning season in Serie A; earning him the nickname “Kvaradona.”
It seems like a stretch given our ongoing battle with FFP and supposed lack of funds, however, this isn’t the first time we’ve been tipped to make a move for the Georgian sensation.
Back in December, The Times‘ Martin Hardy – a well-known North East reporter – said we’d identified the 22-year-old as a ‘major transfer target’ over the next two windows. We’re two windows on and the link has remerged.
Again, these big claims from Italy could be nonsense and a total non-starter, but The Athletic have reported all summer that we’re in the market for two ‘elite-level’ signings. One has arrived in Sandro Tonali and signing another Serie A star in Kvaratskhelia would be a major statement and incredible coup.
I’m not holding my breath, but I wouldn’t rule it out if finances allowed for it.
I find this one impossible to believe for so many reasons. No way we can afford to spend that much money with ffp.
Also if I had no affiliations to Newcastle, was a superstar in Italy and just won the league, why would I go to Newcastle?
Its all a bit far fetched I think.
Toonali87(Quote)
If we had 83mil spare we wouldn’t be buying a 6th left winger imo
Marc Howe(Quote)
It’s disingenuous to suggest that this ‘could’ be true. We simply can’t do it due to FFP. There is not even a journalist to link with the story, which came up on win win dot com…A hive of football knowledge that everyone uses when they want to know what’s going on. Utter copy and paste for clicks, much like this article. Have some credibility Olly.
Silva77(Quote)