Newcastle United make 'formal approach' for £26m star who has three reasons for wanting to join

Newcastle United have made an ambitious move to try and sign Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, according to reports in Spain.

Spanish outlet Revolvo understands that Newcastle scouts have been to watch the 23-year-old on no less than five occasions this season and the outlet also understands that the Magpies are best-placed to sign the goalkeeper, who is reportedly valued at around £25.6m.

The outlet claims that Mamardashvili, who stands at 6ft6, is attracted to the prospect of joining Newcastle due to three key factors - his desire to play in the Premier League, the promise of regular football ahead of Nick Pope and thirdly that the fact that he sees the team as a great project and a chance to play at the highest level in Europe.

Mamardashvili is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in European football, he was named the team’s player of the season for 2023 and has continued that exceptional form for Valencia this season. He’s kept 12 clean sheets in the league and has conceded just 38 times in 33 games, giving the team the third best defensive record in La Liga.

The youngster has also played a vital role in helping Georgia reach the European Championships for the first time in the nation’s history. He kept a vital clean sheet in the play-off semi-final victory over Luxembourg and was the star of the show in the final against Greece in a 0-0 draw before crucially saving a penalty from Anastasios Bakasetas in the shoot-out.

Links of a move for Mamardashvili come following speculation from the Shields Gazette, claiming that Martin Dubravka will look for a move in the summer, along with further reports suggesting that Loris Karius will leave on a free transfer in June when his contract expires.