‘Was never ever happening anyway’, ‘Sign Leao’ – Man City fans react as club suffer setback in pursuit of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Manchester City have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, after the Georgian reportedly agreed to sign a new long-term contract with the Serie A league leaders.

Pep Guardiola’s side are set for a significant summer of business, with the potential for a series of arrivals and departures, as players such including Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Aymeric Laporte are linked with exits from the Etihad Stadium.

One of the players that Manchester City have been linked with recently is none other than Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Napoli. The Georgian international is one of the brightest talents in Europe right now.

Kvaratskhelia joined Napoli last summer and has already earned the nickname of ‘Kvaradona’, which goes on to show how highly he is rated by their fans. The Georgian is one of the biggest reasons why they are running away in the Serie A title race.

According to stats from Transfermarkt, he has scored 14 goals and provided 16 assists in 30 appearances this season till now.

As reported by Foot Mercato, Napoli will extend Kvaratskhelia’s deal by one year, until 2028. His salary will increase from €1 million to €2.5 million, but could even reach €4 million with bonuses.

Kvaratskhelia is one of the best players in Europe right now and has had a big hand in Napoli’s transformation this season. Not only do they look set to win the Serie A title but are one of the favourites in the Champions League as well, something that nobody would have seen coming at the start of the season.

Thus, someone like Kvaratskhelia could have been a great long-term signing for Manchester City, as he is just 22 years of age. But with a contract extension close, it feels unlikely that he will leave Napoli anytime in the near future and it would be expected to take a transfer fee north of €100 million if it does happen.

The report shared on Twitter gathered a number of replies from a wide range of Man City supporters.

Here’s what the fans made of the report.

@TeacherOfBall: Was never ever happening anyway

@ErlingHa_: Sign Leao

@hflame4: well at least no one else is getting him

@Seee_Hen: Grealish better anways

@SudiptaDash49: He is just an average Jack Grealish! He will struggle in the English premier league!

@Mokoena19FC: He’s literally a championship Grealish. Glad we aren’t getting him

@MCFC_Mihir: I mean it was obvious that we weren’t getting him. He’s a 100m player and with ADL, he would’ve costed 200m no joke

@mancity_talk: Would he have improved City? Yes. But the prices being floated around, plus the fact we’d have to negotiate with Napoli, means I’m not too bothered about this

@cbahaaland: That could ruin his career

@KOBBYANY: It’s time to forget this kid. He’s following the Koulibaly part. By the time he chooses to move, he’ll be past it.