By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

15th Feb, 2023 | 7:58am

Sources: Newcastle United plot raid for 'next Mohamed Salah'

Newcastle have identified Napoli sensation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as an A-list summer target, sources have told Football Insider.

The north-east giants are shortlisting forwards capable of improving Eddie Howe’s Champions League contenders.

Qualification for that competition, guaranteed by a top-four Premier League finish, is expected to be a critical factor in attracting elite talents as well as the amount of money that Newcastle can spend.

It is believed that Kvaratskhelia is on the radar of the club’s recruitment team on the back of his remarkable emergence at high-flying Napoli.

The Georgian superstar, 22, or “Kvaradona,” as he is known by the Napoli faithful, has made a huge impact since signing from Dinamo Batumi last summer for less than £10million.

His 23 appearances have yielded 11 goals and 14 assists in all competitions and been integral to a team widely regarded as one of the best in Europe this season.

Napoli lead Serie A by a remarkable 15 points and are seen as genuine contenders to win the Champions League.

Operating on the left flank, Kvaratskhelia has been one of the team’s outstanding players and made the huge step up from Georgian to Italian football look an easy one.

Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti this week hailed his star forward as a massive talent with many similarities to Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah.

“He is really one who has sensitivity in dribbling, in caressing the ball, in bringing those feints that are so difficult to defend against.

“Mo Salah is one of those guys who has this quality in the tight spaces and in finishing so precisely, he doesn’t feel the pressure. You can see that he is a quiet boy, he will have a great future.”

In other news, Sources: Newcastle United plot signings blizzard amid critical development next week.