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West Ham to move for highly rated Rubin Kazan winger

By James Sneddon

BATUMI, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 11: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Georgia speaks at the post match press conference after the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Georgia and Sweden at Batumi Arena on November 11, 2021 in Batumi, Georgia. (Photo by Levan Verdzeuli/Getty Images)
BATUMI, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 11: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Georgia speaks at the post match press conference after the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Georgia and Sweden at Batumi Arena on November 11, 2021 in Batumi, Georgia. (Photo by Levan Verdzeuli/Getty Images) /
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West Ham United have reportedly made a move to sign Rubin Kazan winger Kvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The 20-year-old Georgia international has been linked with the move according to reports in Russia and the UK. It is believed West Ham could face competition to sign the player with a number of Premier League clubs such as, Chelsea, Southampton and Leeds interested in him.

West Ham have enquired about the fee, with Kazan placing a £13 million price tag on the talented youngster.

West Ham are ready to make a move for the highly rated Kvicha Kvaratskhelia.

TBILISI, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 08: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Georgia runs with ball during the UEFA Nations League play-off semi-final match between Georgia and Belarus at Boris Paichadze Stadium on October 8, 2020 in Tbilisi, Georgia. (Photo by Levan Verdzeuli/Getty Images)
TBILISI, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 08: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Georgia runs with ball during the UEFA Nations League play-off semi-final match between Georgia and Belarus at Boris Paichadze Stadium on October 8, 2020 in Tbilisi, Georgia. (Photo by Levan Verdzeuli/Getty Images) /

West Ham have clearly been monitoring the Russian Premier League as Nikola Vlasic and Alex Kral have both been signed from Moscow based clubs.

Kvaratskhelia signed for Kazan in 2019, having previously played in his home country for Dinamo Tblisi and Rustavi. He has scored eight goals 65 league games for Kazan and he is a regular in the Georgian national team.

His performances on the international stage have helped him gain attention, scoring against Spain and Greece earlier this year.

In the West Ham squad Kvaratshkelia could be compared to Manuel Lanzini. Both players have similar attacking qualities known for their strong dribbling and acceleration on the ball. He is also a hard worker without the ball and has the energy to press high to win the possession back, these are the types of players West Ham boss David Moyes wants in his team.

It is worth noting Kvaratshkelia’s work off the ball is just as strong as his on-the-ball effort. He averaged 3.4 dribbles per game last season and made 1.5 key passes, he’s Kazan’s main attacking force regularly creating chances for his teammates.

Georgia is not really a country that football fans immediately associate with football, but Kvaratshkelia could soon change that perception. He is predicted to be a prominent figure in his country’s football culture, and a move to the Premier League would help to get Georgia on the football map.

With West Ham needing to strengthen their attacking depth in wide areas with Andriy Yarmolenko looking set to leave the club, Kvaratshkelia could secure a dream move to London Stadium.

There is no doubt that fans in Georgia will tune into the Premier League to watch him if he does join West Ham.

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