A year ago
Real Madrid have been linked with a number of players in recent weeks and months. And despite the conflicting rumors, fans are still hoping the club will add to their squad this summer. If one thing has become clear throughout the season, it's that Los Blancos don't have enough depth to compete for all three titles.
One of the players Real Madrid has been linked with recently is none other than Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Georgia international is currently one of the brightest talents in Europe. Kvaratskhelia joined Napoli last summer and has earned the nickname 'Kvaradona', which shows how much he is appreciated by the fans. The Georgians are one of the main reasons they are on the run in the chase for the Serie A title.
According to Transfermarkt statistics, he has scored 14 goals and has 16 assists in 30 appearances this season.
Real Madrid's transfer move aims to reach a new deal
As reported by Foot Mercato, Napoli will extend Kvaratskhelia's contract for one more year, until 2028. His salary will increase from 1 million euros to 2.5 million euros, but possibly even up to 4 million euros plus bonus. Kvaratskhelia is currently one of the best players in Europe and has played a key role in Napoli's transformation this season. Not only do they look set to win the Serie A title, but they are also among the favorites to win the Champions League, something no one would have expected at the start of the season.
So someone like Kvaratskhelia could be a great long-term signing for Real Madrid, when he is just 22 years old. But with a contract extension nearing, it doesn't look like he will be leaving Napoli for the foreseeable future and he will face a transfer fee of up to €100m if that happens.
Read More
Pep Guardiola has a contract with Manchester City until 2025.
Man City's next six matches in the Premier League
Manchester City are said to have appointed Luis Enrique as Pep Guardiola's successor, should the 52-year-old decide he has had enough at the end of the season. Guardiola only put pen to paper on a new contract last year, but some behind the scenes at the Etihad Stadium are said to have been 'afraid' of his departure.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager signed a two-year contract extension in November that would, in theory, keep him at Manchester until 2025. His time at City has been the longest. he was at a club during his career, after joining 2016. After accumulating titles in Spain and Germany, Guardiola has enjoyed great success in England with four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four Carabao Cups. However, according to El Chiringuito, City fear they will have enough by the end of the campaign.
The past few months have not been easy for the Sky Blues, as Guardiola painstakingly introduced a new system and Arsenal raced to the title.
PepGuardiola
Pep Guardiola has a contract with Man City until 2025 (Photo:
RECEIVE)
City bosses are said to have started looking for alternatives as Guardiola ponders whether to retire from football - just as he did after four years of tension with Barca.
The name they are said to be targeting is Luis Enrique, who has been unemployed since parting ways with the Spanish national team following a World Cup defeat at the hands of Morocco. Man City's director of football Txiki Begiristain is said to be a huge fan of Enrique. Like Guardiola, the Spaniard has enjoyed a successful spell with Barcelona and will provide the Sky Blues with an equally compelling play.
The report adds that City have spoken to Enrique's representatives about a three-year deal worth £14m-per-season. It remains to be seen whether the former Spaniard will be waiting for an vacancy he is not guaranteed to fill in the short term.
Morocco vs Spain
Luis Enrique is said to be Man City's preferred choice to replace Pep Guardiola (Image:
Getty)
Enrique has also been linked with the Tottenham job following the departure of Antonio Conte. Ryan Mason and Cristian Stellini have been appointed provisionally, though a long-term appointment is expected this summer.
Guardiola has had time to rest and recuperate over the past two weeks, although the eight-point gap with Arsenal in the table may weigh heavily on his mind. City will have a chance to reduce their deficit on Saturday when they host Liverpool at the Etihad.
Total Comments: 0