Dean Jones has now offered an update on the potential of a transfer from SSC Napoli to Arsenal for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia following the Gunners expressing their interest.
The Emirates Stadium side have begun to explore a move for Kvaratskhelia as manager Mikel Arteta wants further offensive options. He is keen to add to Arsenal’s already skilful attack in the summer sales to challenge for titles across multiple competitions in the 2023/24 season.
But Jones believes it is near-on impossible to see Arsenal agreeing to a transfer with Napoli for Kvaratskhelia. The Azzurri are demanding offers of at least £100m to sell the 22-year-old this summer. He enjoyed a sensational debut season at Napoli last term as they won Serie A.
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Arsenal have expressed an interest in signing Kvaratskhelia to Napoli
Kvaratskhelia offered 12 goals and 13 assists through 34 appearances in the Italian top-flight last season. He also offered a further two goals and four assists through nine appearances in the Champions League. Even though it marked his debut campaign in the UEFA competition.
Now, Kvaratskhelia could have his pick of suitors with Arsenal among the team’s keen on his transfer. Il Mattino credited the Gunners and Newcastle United as two clubs with an interest in him. But Kvaratskhelia is ‘annoyed’ to be linked with Arsenal as he wants to stay at Napoli.
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Reports by Football Transfers at the end of July had noted that Arsenal expressed an interest to Napoli in signing Kvaratskhelia. Emirates Stadium chiefs felt a move was possible after the Azzurri hired Mauro Meluso as their sporting director, despite failing with an earlier enquiry.
What has Jones said about Kvaratskhelia moving to Emirates Stadium?
But Jones claims Arteta’s hopes of seeing Arsenal and Napoli agree Kvaratskhelia’s transfer are in tatters. The journalist is extremely pessimistic about the potential of the Georgia star moving to Emirates Stadium given the Gunners have already bought Declan Rice for £100m.
He said: “I have not heard anything positive around this rumour and that’s mainly because his price tag is extortionate. Napoli aren’t letting this player move for less than £100m. And there is no sign at all of Arsenal going into that territory again this summer.”
Arsenal proving Jones wrong and matching the fee they paid West Ham for Rice would see Edu hand Arteta yet another gifted young superstar who Jamie Carragher absolutely adores.
“[Kvaratskhelia is] the most exciting player in Europe and I do believe [that],” Carragher told CBS Sports back in March. “Not the best but the most exciting.
“He’s come from nowhere. And every time I watch him, I think he scored a goal at the weekend where he cut inside, I just love watching him play.”