Real Madrid and Barcelona have met four times on the pitch this season, with a fifth contest set to take place at Camp Nou in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi finals. Xavi’s side have won on three occasions while Carlo Ancelotti’s team came out on top in the first El Clasico of the campaign.
Thus, as a team, it certainly looks like Barcelona have Real Madrid’s number right now. They have defeated them on three straight occasions and somewhat convincingly as well.
On the other hand, it looks like the two eternal rivals are set to compete with each other off the pitch as well, this time for the signature of a certain Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Georgian plays for Napoli and has been one of the best players in Europe this season. So much so that he is believed to be rated at around £150 million already. And it is not just Barcelona and Real Madrid keeping an eye on him, but teams from the Premier League as well.
Real Madrid and Barcelona want £150 million superstar
As reported by TEAMtalk, insider Graeme Bailey said about the Kvaratskhelia situation:
"“Napoli firmly believe that in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia they currently possess the best player in world football and it is no surprise that the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona are looking at him.“However, there is some real interest in the Premier League and the two who’ve shown the greatest interest at this point are Manchester City and Newcastle United.“Both have been keeping firm tabs on the Georgian and they like him a lot. However, Napoli would be looking at an enormous £150m price tag for Kvaratskhelia at this point.“Both could conceivably afford to pay that colossal sum as two of the wealthiest clubs in the world, but a deal this summer looks highly unlikely.“Instead, Napoli firmly believe a new and improved contract extension is likely.”"
Kvaratskhelia has taken Italian and European football by storm since joining Napoli in the summer. He is one of the biggest reasons why they are running away with the Serie A title and the team from Naples are also being considered as one of the favourites to win the UEFA Champions League this season, something that nobody could have expected at the start of the campaign.
According to stats from Transfermarkt, Kvaratskhelia has scored 14 goals and provided 16 assists in 30 appearances for Napoli this season.
One advantage that Real Madrid might have in the race to sign Kvaratskhelia is that the player is a fan of Los Blancos. He grew up idolising Guti.