Newcastle United 'make £82m bid for Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia'

Newcastle United have reportedly made an £82m offer for Napoli attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The 22-year-old played a leading role in his side's Serie A success last season, scoring 12 goals and registering 13 assists in 34 appearances in Italy's top flight.

Kvaratskhelia also impressed for Napoli in the Champions League, scoring twice and providing four assists in nine outings in the competition, with the Italian team reaching the quarter-finals.

The Georgia international has another four years left to run on his contract in Naples, but he is believed to be wanted by a number of major European clubs.

Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City are thought to be among his admirers, with Napoli expected to find it difficult to keep hold of him on a long-term basis.

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According to Corriere dello Sport, Newcastle have now lodged a club-record bid for the attacker, with the Magpies placing an offer of £82m on the table.

The report claims that Napoli are yet to respond to the offer, but Newcastle would be willing to raise their bid to £85m in order to secure his services this summer.

Kvaratskhelia represented Rubin Kazan between 2019 and 2022, departing the club last year due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The forward then joined Napoli from Dinamo Batumi last July, signing a five-year contract with the club, and he has proven to be an excellent signing for the Italian giants.

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Newcastle are one of the wealthiest clubs in world football due to their recent takeover, while they will be in the Champions League next season, having finished fourth in the 2022-23 Premier League.

The Magpies have already spent big on Sandro Tonali this summer, with the Italy international moving to St James' Park from AC Milan in a £55m deal.

However, speaking after Saturday's pre-season clash with Gateshead, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe insisted that he was working to "a very strict budget".

While the Magpies have the funds to spend heavily this summer, they are operating within the guidelines of Financial Fair Play.

Newcastle are also currently being heavily linked with Leicester City attacker Harvey Barnes, although Howe has denied that a deal for the Englishman is close to being completed.