FC Barcelona Target Signing Napoli’s ‘Georgian Messi’ Kvaratskheli

FC Barcelona are targeting the signing of a player known as the ‘Georgian Messi’ in Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, according to El Nacional.

The Blaugrana have received a reinforcement in attacking midfield this month with the last minute signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid.

As the deal is only a loan, however, with Felix renewing terms at the Metropolitano until 2029 before departing for Catalonia, it will be difficult to negotiate an affordable fee for the 23-year-old for whom Atleti paid €126 million ($135 million) for from Benfica at the turn of the decade.

Felix’s expected departure at the end of the 2023/2024 will again leave a hole in Xavi’s squad when it comes to players who can occupy the left flank.

Ez Abde is gone for good, and will now ply his trade at Real Betis, while Xavi’s treatment of Ansu Fati which concluded with the number 10 heading to Brighton in the Premier
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League for the rest of the term shows that there isn’t much trust in the La Masia graduate either.

This is where Kvaratskhelia could come in. Helping Napoli to their first 33 years last season, the ‘Georgian Messi’ was one of Europe’s biggest breakout stars with 12 goals and 13 assists while also helping Gli Azzurri reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Other outfits have also been interested in the 22-year-old of course, among them Liverpool, Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid this summer to name a few.

It is believed that it will take a bid of at least €100 million ($107 million) to get Napoli to the negotiation table, and with Barca’s financial problems well-documented, raising such funds will be a push.

The Catalans could be in much better financial shape a year from now, however, and more player sales could be expected.

With Lamine Yamal currently pushing the Brazilian out of the first XI, Raphinha could be moved on to a Saudi or Premier League club where Public Investment Fund-owned Newcastle United were previously preparing an €80 million ($86 million) bid for him according to Mundo Deportivo.

Fati’s stock might also rise after a year in the English top flight making a permanent outgoing transfer easier, and Robert Lewandowski may also move to the Middle East creating increased spending money.