Newcastle Moves Away from Mamardashvili, Who Turns to Euro 2020
The Newcastle team has been the most persistent in pursuing Mamardashvili throughout the year. They have met with his representatives multiple times, visited Mestalla to watch him play, and even offered 25 million plus variables to sign the Georgian goalkeeper. However, Valencia CF has stood firm on their valuation of at least 35 million, a figure that Newcastle had hoped would decrease at some point but has not been the case. This has led the English club to explore other options.
According to The Northern Echo, a publication specializing in Newcastle’s news, James Trafford from Burnley has now become their priority due to Valencia’s high valuation of Mamardashvili, which remains above 35 million. The report also mentions that Newcastle is not willing to spend a huge amount of money, making Trafford a suitable option as he could be signed for 15-20 million.
It is important to note that Newcastle has multiple owners, which may explain the conflicting reports about Mamardashvili. While one part of the club may be inclined to pursue him, another part may have a different approach. However, the consistent message received by Valencia and the player’s entourage is that Newcastle will not offer more than 30 million euros, including variables. Could there be other developments in the future? It remains unclear.
Mamardashvili is now pinning his hopes on Euro 2020. With a price tag of 35 million, he is only within reach of top clubs. Despite interest from several teams, none have made a concrete offer yet. One of the main reasons, as sources close to the deal have revealed, is Mamardashvili’s lack of European competition experience, which diminishes his appeal. The upcoming international tournament with Georgia could be a perfect opportunity for him to showcase his skills on a global stage.
Among the top clubs keeping an eye on the player are Chelsea and Liverpool. However, their interest may depend on player departures. Alisson has attracted attention from clubs in Saudi Arabia but is still considered elite for a couple more years. Chelsea considered Mamardashvili last year but opted for Robert Sánchez instead. While they admire the Georgian goalkeeper, Chelsea currently has three goalkeepers (Robert, Kepa, and Petrovic), so they would need to sell at least one of them for a significant amount to make room for Mamardashvili in the starting lineup.
