Premier League newcomers Burnley now face a summer battle with AC Milan for
as the Serie A giants submit a £9 million bid for the FC Metz striker.
You can probably call it the ‘Khvicha Kvaratskhelia effect’.
12 months after Napoli took a punt on a little-known Georgia international who would eventually fire them to Scudetto glory after 33 years of waiting, Italian rivals AC Milan appear to be on the lookout for their very own ‘Kvaradona’.
Burnley battling AC Milan for striker Georges Mikautadze
Georges Mikautadze – alongside Kvaratkshelia and Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili – is part of an exciting generation emerging from a nation which could soon be flying up the FIFA rankings.
Mitautadze’s 24 goals and nine assists has Metz still in contention for promotion; third place and just three points off Bordeaux with two games remaining. The France-born poacher is likely to be on the move even if Metz do overhaul Les Girondins, however, long-time admirers Burnley offering Mikautadze the chance to prove that he can make a similar impact in a greater league.
Clarets boss Vincent Kompany admitted last summer that Mikautadze was a target. Now, with promotion secured, Burnley may finally have the financial muscle required to meet Metz’s £13 million asking price.
“It is a difficult one,” Kompany told Lancs Live at the time. “There are some players that are out of our range financially. For us, (Mikautadze) is a player who is probably out of our range.”
interest from seven-time European champions AC Milan certainly complicates Burnley’s plans. The Rossoneri have made an offer of around £9 million, albeit one that falls short of Metz’s demands (FootMercato).
Milan are in the market for a new centre-forward, with Olivier Giroud 36 and Divock Origi struggling since arriving on a free transfer from Liverpool.
Burnley, meanwhile, will be losing their top scorer from this season. Unless, of course, Southampton agree to let Nathan Tella return to Turf Moor on a permanent basis.
