The box office Hull City signing that could break the January transfer window
Hull City have been linked with a January transfer bid for one of Europe’s most in-form forwards - but is it a deal which could really happen?
Even the most optimistic Hull City fan probably didn’t dream that phase one of their return to the Premier League would go quite this well. They’ve lost just one game in five, are in the top half of the table, and have arguably the best home kit in the entire division. The good times are back on Humberside – and they’re planning to use the January transfer window to keep them rolling.
According to a new report, Hull are in the market for a rising star of Serie A who’s one of the most in-form forwards in the global game right now: Frosinone’s Giorgi Kvernadze. A winter bid could be on the cards for the Tigers, but just how good is the Georgian winger, does he really live up this ‘New Kvaratskhelia’ tag, and how likely is it that a deal takes place?
Will Hull City sign the ‘New Kvaratskhelia’ this January?
The 23-year-old Kvernadze has come a long way since Frosinone spent an estimated £300,000 to sign him back in 2023, and seems to have learned quite a lot from the two years in Serie B which followed – the Georgian winger is off to a flyer this season, and is starting to generate some genuine hype.
While the comparisons with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are largely based on a combination of his nationality and position – Kvernadze, too, is a natural left winger – there is enough crossover between their playing styles that they aren’t entirely fatuous.
Like his more famous compatriot, Kvernadze is a winger who likes to get the ball down at his feet and attack defenders, and he’s getting frighteningly good at it. His 53% dribble success rate is impressive considering the enormous volume of carries he attempts per game. He seldom gives his opposite man room for a breather.
His passing is increasingly crisp, his technique developing in impressive fashion, and his work rate is exceptionally high – on average, he’s forced 4.6 turnovers of possession per game in the league this season, a very strong mark for a forward.
He’s also starting to look like a genuine threat in front of goal, too. While his returns in Serie B were fairly modest – nine goals and 10 assists over the past two full seasons – he seems to have levelled up over the summer and already has five goals and two assists in just six matches since Frosinone earned promotion back to the Italian top flight. He has scored in each of his last three matches, and inspired his team to three wins from their first five games of the campaign.
In short, Frosinone are essentially doing exactly what Hull are doing in England, and Kvernadze has been the inspiration. Now, according to Sport Witness, Hull are keeping a close eye on his progress, with scouts apparently in attendance at recent games and a January bid on their mind.
Where Hull stand on a deal – according to reports
Sport Witness’ report suggests that Hull are considering a mid-season move for Kvernadze, although their story stops short of stating that any kind of approach has been made. We’re far enough away from the transfer window that any such links are speculative by their very nature. Teams simply haven’t made their mind up about whether to make offers just yet.
Nor does the report suggest a likely asking price for Kvernadze, although it does note that Frosinone’s financial position isn’t so strong that they’re likely to ask for much – and the Georgian winger is only under contract for another two years.
In short, by the time we get to January, Frosinone will already be in a position where they will have to consider bids in order to ensure that they get maximum value for him. They may stand firm if they believe that Kvernadze will be the difference between relegation and survival – not necessarily that unlikely – but Premier League money could prove to be very persuasive.
So too, however, could Napoli, who the report states are also keen to further the Kvaratskhelia comparison by signing the Kvernadze in the near future as well. They may not have a financial edge over Hull, but they have an advantage in terms of reputation and the opportunity to play European football.
If Napoli’s alleged interest proves to be genuine, Hull will have an uphill battle – and that’s one good reason not to get overexcited about the deal, as is the fact that it’s still unclear whether this sudden upswing in form is sustainable or not.
There’s a lot of road between now and the January transfer window, and it’s far from certain that Hull will be serious contenders for Kvernadze’s signature once we get there, or that he’ll still be on the same sensational form. If he can keep this up, however, then Hull might be in with a shout at making a very exciting signing indeed.