Manchester City have ‘looked at’ Napoli star and other transfer rumours

Manchester City have monitored and ‘looked at’ Napoli star Kvicha Kvaratskhelia but will face a stiff test in prying him away from the Italian club according to report amid rumours of Pep Guardiola shaking up his side this summer.

Kvaratskhelia has been in outstanding form this season as he and his Napoli side look to claim a first Serie A title since 1990. The 21-year-old Georgian international has featured 21 times across all competitions for the Serie A leaders so far this season and produced a staggering 9 goals and 13 assists.

His performances across the Serie A and Champions League especially have attracted major attraction from across Europe, with City being a potential suitor for the Georgian winger.

Kvaratskhelia only joined the Italian side last summer from Georgian club Dinamo Batumi, and signed a contract for five years that will keep him at the club until 2027.

His form has inevitably attracted Premier League interest, with CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs name-checking City and Newcastle United as two interested parties.

Speaking on a Twitter space, Jacobs said: “Manchester City have looked, Newcastle have looked. Really difficult to get anyone away from Napoli, though, because they’re flying at the moment, but who knows, the summer might be a different situation.”

Unfortunately, any potential attempts to sign Kvaratskhelia will not be difficult, as City have notoriously struggled to deal with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis due to his negotiation style and unwillingness to budge from his asking price.

The Premier League champions famously could not get deals over the line for former Napoli stars Kalidou Koulibaly and Jorginho and both players ended up moving to Chelsea (with Jorginho now at Arsenal).

Due to the length of Kvaratskhelia’s contract, De Laurentiis will hold all the power in potential negotiations with City and the Blues will most likely have to pay north of £100 million to secure the Georgian’s services.

Elsewhere, Cardiff City goalkeeper Lewys Benjamin looks set to sign for City’s academy in the coming days after completing a medical on Friday.

The Wales teenager was coveted by a number of top-flight clubs, deciding to join City’s youth setup as a player for the future. A Welsh under-17 international, he has been a regular for Cardiff’s under-16s this season.

Fabrizio Romano tweeted on Friday morning that the goalkeeper was due for medical tests at City and a deal was all but done.