Valencia are ready to cash in on their highly-rated goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili this summer with Premier League giants Newcastle United and Chelsea just two of the clubs keen on the La Liga glovesman.
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Newcastle United and Chelsea – who finished sixth and fifth in the Premier League respectively in 2023/24 – are admirers of the much-coveted Giorgi Mamardashvili.
And Valencia are now ready to sell. Interest is hotting up from all across Europe, with Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Napoli and Juventus also in pursuit.
Valencia recently snapped up Stole Dimitrievski from La Liga rivals Rayo Vallecano, and his arrival is expected to pave the way for Mamardashvili to be cut free.
Newcastle and Chelsea like Giorgi Mamardashvili
Still only 23, the 6ft 6ins Georgia international has been playing regular first team football for the last three years now. An exceptional shot-stopper with lightning-fast reflexes, Mamardashvili’s colossal stature has earned him comparisons with Real Madrid’s multi-Champions League-winning glovesman Thibaut Courtois.
“He is the best signing that Valencia has made in recent times,” former Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Real Sociedad ‘keeper Miguel Angel Moya previously told Marca.
“It is true that, if he continues like this, it will be difficult to retain him. It seems to me that, right now, he is one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga, without a doubt. Of the under-23s in Europe, along with Diego Costa of Porto, he is the one I like the most.
“He reminds me a lot of Courtois; with a big wingspan, very tall but agile. He has determination, takes risks, dominates and he can block (shots).”
Mamardashvili has an £86 million release clause in his contract. Given that Valencia appear ready to listen to offers, however, it can be assumed that the former Dinamo Tbilsi stopper will be available for a fee lower than that 100 million euro mark.
Newcastle have been watching Mamardashvili closely in recent months, during a season in which regular number one Nick Pope has missed months due to injury. The Magpies have also spoken to Arsenal about their number two Aaron Ramsdale.
Valencia ready to cash in
Chelsea are long-time admirers of Mamardashvili too, HITC having been told that they are ‘fully aware’ of his situation at the Mestalla. Mauricio Pochettino’s side may also make moves for Aston Villa’s World Cup winner Emi Martinez or Jordan Pickford of Everton, while Athletico Paranaense’s Bento Matheus Krepski is another name to keep an eye on.
“You need a goalkeeper who earns you points, like Giorgi,” Valencia coach Ruben Baraja said recently, a youthful Los Che side defying the doubters while staying comfortably clear of a relegation battle.
“I think he is an established goalkeeper, with a great career (ahead of him), who is at a high level. The data confirms it. We don’t know his ceiling. He has continuous growth.
“Happy with how things are going.”
Chelsea, we understand, have already agreed a £60 million deal with Palmeiras for Estevao Willian.