Football
Exclusive: Giorgi Chakvetadze in Demand as Burnley Lead Chase for Watford Midfielder
Watford's Giorgi Chakvetadze is a wanted man, with Burnley, Birmingham, and Sunderland eyeing a summer move. The versatile midfielder's impressive performances have caught the eye of Premier League clubs, with a potential £4-5 million move on the cards. Chakvetadze is open to all offers, including staying in the Championship.
Spain v Georgia: Round of 16 - UEFA EURO 2024 by DeFodi Images | Getty Images
Watford midfielder Giorgi Chakvetadze is wanted by Burnley ahead of their return to the Premier League, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
But the Clarets face a battle with Championship outfit Birmingham and Sunderland for the 25-year-old’s prized signature.
Georgia international Chakvetadze, capped 39 times by his country, has won many admirers for his starring performances in the second tier.
And now both the Clarets, Blues and Black Cats are set to pounce to try and sign versatile playmaker, who can play in central midfielder or a winger.
Chakvetadze impressed for Georgia at Euro 2024 in Germany, but it is his excellent club performances which have really helped see his stock rise in the past 12 months.
The former Gent man also has an iconic look, regularly seen with his socks rolled down to his ankles in his match, an unusual style for the modern-day footballer.
He played 39 times for the Hornets as they finished mid-table in the Championship last season and chipped in with two goals.
The trio of club’s interested in signing him believe he can be so much better and is a really exciting prospect for the future.
PREMIER LEAGUE MOVE?
Our sources have learnt Chakvetadze would welcome a move to the Premier League, but he is open to listen to all offers, even from fellow Championship clubs.
Chakvetadze has enjoyed his time with Watford, but if the Premier League came calling then a move would understandably be tough to turn down.
He is contracted to the club until June 2029 and is valued at around £4-5million.
His weekly wage is understood to be £25,000, which some Championship clubs would not be prepared to pay, although Premier League clubs could easily afford.
The midfielder joined the Hornets initially on a season-long loan in July 2023, before signing a permanent deal in February this year.
He has also enjoyed loan spells with Hamburger SV in Germany and with Slovan in the Slovakian Super Liga.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.