Man City suffer blow in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia pursuit and more transfer rumours

Manchester City appear to have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, after reports emerged that the Georgia international is set to hold talks to extend his contract with the Serie A club.

The 21 year-old was signed for just £10m in the summer, and has been a revelation so far this season, scoring eight goals and assisting 10 in just 17 appearances, firing the Neapolitans to the top of Serie A and into the knockout stages of the Champions League.

La Gazetta dello Sport reports that the Italian club are set to offer the Georgian a ‘lucrative’ new contract that will double his current salary of €1.2m (£1.05m) at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

The outlet claims that negotiations between the player’s representative Mamuka Jugeli and club chief Cristiano Giuntoli are progressing ‘excellently’ and the player is focused on Napoli and what they intend to achieve this season.

The report also states that the maximum renewal date for a new contract right now is 2027, but in the coming year, it will be possible to extend the player’s deal until 2028.

Manchester City are reported to have been monitoring the player ahead of a move, but the latest developments in the Napoli man’s future are designed to keep the big Premier League at bay.

Elsewhere, Calciomercato reports that Arsenal centre-back Ben White is on Man City’s two-man defensive hit list alongside Croatian prodigy Josko Gvardiol.

A centre-back by trade, White has been forced out to the right-hand side of defence this season to accommodate the formidable pairing of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.

The allure of returning to his preferred position and working under an iconic coach in Guardiola could therefore go some way towards persuading the 25-year-old to ditch the Emirates.

However, the presence of Gvardiol may just save Arsenal if City are able to fend off competition and land the 20-year-old’s signature.

A stellar run to the World Cup semi-finals with Croatia saw him land in many respected outlets’ Team of the Tournament and long-term admirers Chelsea may be about to clear a path by dropping out of the race.