Kvaratskhelia’s teammate nearly joined Benfica, Rui Costa blocked it | OneFootball

Zuriko Davitashvili was considered as a potential reinforcement for Benfica in the last transfer window, instead of Dodi Lukebakio. However, the choice did not fall on the compatriot of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, although there were talks between the Clube da Luz and Saint-Etienne.

“Another name that was also considered by the Benfica officials was the Georgian Zuriko Davitashvili from Saint-Etienne. But the fact that he is right-footed and tends to play on the left meant that he was surpassed by Lukebakio,” revealed the newspaper Record, in last Wednesday's print edition.

The deal for Zuriko Davitashvili would not have been complicated and would likely have required a smaller investment than that of Dodi Lukebakio. This is because the compatriot of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a winger for PSG, where João Neves has shone, is at the end of his contract with Saint-Etienne, which weakens the French club's negotiating position.

However, Benfica ultimately ended up signing Dodi Lukebakio. The transfer of the Belgian international, coming from Sevilla, cost the Clube da Luz around 20 million euros, plus 4 million contingent on achieving certain individual and collective objectives, which were not disclosed.

Last season, playing for Saint-Étienne, Zuriko Davitashvili – valued at 10 million euros – played 34 matches: 33 in Ligue 1 and one in the French Cup. In the 2,833 minutes he was on the pitch, the 24-year-old left winger scored nine goals and provided eight assists.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.