NEWCASTLE have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after reports of Paris Saint-Germain lining up a stunning £159MILLION offer.
The 22-year-old sensational only joined the Serie A leaders last summer from Georgian side Dinamo Tbilisi for £8.6m.
But he is already being linked with a move to the Premier League and Newcastle are thought to be a potential destination.
However, according to Corriere dello Sport, PSG are preparing to pay a remarkable £159m to acquire the forward.
The Ligue 1 champions also have guaranteed Champions League football – something Newcastle are fighting for.
Eddie Howe’s men sit two points adrift of fourth-place Tottenham with two games in hand.
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Kvaratskhelia’s existing contract runs until 2027, but he is earning just £26,000-a-week.
A remarkable first season has seen him rack up 13 goals and 15 assists in 29 appearances.
And while an improved deal could be on the cards, Kvaratskhelia, nicknamed “Kvaradona”, wants a release clause put into his contract.
Napoli are reluctant to oblige as they value their man at around £140m – a figure they could obtain if PSG stump up the cash.
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Napoli are closing in on their first league title in 33 years.
Luciano Spaletti’s side sit a huge 18 points clear at the top of Serie A.
They are also in with a chance of winning the Champions League as they prepare to take on AC Milan in the quarter-finals.
But they do face losing their two biggest stars in the summer, with Kvaratskhelia and striker Victor Osimhen both linked with moves away.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
