Real Madrid News
€100 million Real Madrid target ‘loves’ the club, reveals agent: “He is a Madridista”
There is no doubt that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is currently one of the most in-demand players in Europe, having enjoyed a blistering 2022/23 campaign.
In just 20 league matches, the attacker has racked up ten goals and eleven assists for Napoli, almost single-handedly leading the Partenopei‘s charge for the Serie A title.
However, Kvaratskhelia’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with European giants such as Real Madrid interested in his services.
Recent reports even indicate that the Spanish champions are contemplating a €100 million swoop for the youngster at the end of the season.
In the midst of speculations, Kvaratskhelia’s agent has revealed that the Napoli forward is a Real Madrid fan, even though he and his father are Barcelona supporters.
“His father and I are Barça fans, but Kvara loves Real Madrid. He’s a player for that level, who can play for any team. If we saw him in a Barça jersey, I would be happy, but he is a Madridista,” Kvaratskhelia’s agent said (h/t Giacomo Iacobellis).
The comments were perhaps not aimed with the intent of fuelling a potential bidding war between Real Madrid and Barcelona, as the Catalans are not linked with a move for the attacker in recent months.
But it certainly hints at the player’s desire to play for Real Madrid at some point in his career.
The Merengues, for their part, have shown the desire to snap him up at the end of the season. But Napoli may have other ideas.
The Italian giants have strictly refused to listen to any offers for the attacker during the January transfer window and the situation is unlikely to evolve drastically in the summer.
Kvaratskhelia’s contract does not expire until 2027, which gives Napoli the leverage to hold out for a fortune, effectively making it difficult for Real Madrid to afford the Georgian international.
Real Madrid News
Opponent watch: Chelsea defender injured during international break, doubt for Real Madrid clash
In less than 20 days, Real Madrid will square off against Chelsea in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu. And ahead of the game, the Premier League club might have been dealt an injury setback.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Chelsea right-back Reece James has sustained an injury while away on national team duty with England and could now be a doubt for the match against Real Madrid.
James is a key member of the Chelsea squad but has had multiple injury problems in the recent past. Indeed, the 23-year-old has played just 12 Premier League matches this term, having had to deal with two knee injuries and a hamstring problem.
James played just five minutes for England during their 2-1 win over Italy earlier this week but has seemingly picked up some discomfort in his thigh during that game.
As a result, he was released from the national team camp earlier today and the young right-back is already on his way back to London.
The official report from the England national team indicated that the Chelsea ace had sustained a minor hamstring injury and was returning to his club as a precaution. However, Mundo Deportivo is stating that his availability for the game against Real Madrid is unclear at this point.
Los Blancos drew Chelsea for the quarter-finals and will host the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 12 before playing the second leg at Stamford Bridge a week later.
