Following a strong start to the season, reports have emerged linking Watford’s Giorgi Chakvetadze with a January transfer to the Premier League. Wolves are the most interested side, if reports are to be believed, but is the Georgian forward a likely target for a side in the English top tier?
To answer this question, we have to consider Chakvetadze’s ability, what Watford would demand for him, and his current contract situation. Once assessed, we can then judge how likely Chakvetadze will be to depart Vicarage Road this winter.
Chakvetadze’s Career So Far
After showing early promise as a youngster for Dinamo Tbilisi, several clubs wanted to sign Giorgi Chakvetadze, including the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham, according to Dinamo’s president. From all the interest, the Georgian forward chose to move to Belgium side Gent. He failed to make a big impression at his new club though and was loaned out on three occasions, first to Hamburg, then Slovan Bratislava, and finally Watford.
Unlike with the first two loan deals, Watford wished to make the temporary signature into a permanent one. In February 2024, the club announced they had signed the Georgian permanently for a fee reported to be in the region of £2.5m. Having played for four different clubs in as many years, it must have been a relief for Chakvetadze to have secured some stability.
Watford
At the time of writing, Chakvetadze has made 50 Watford appearances and has become an increasingly integral part of the side. As a loanee, he would usually make appearances coming off the bench but he has started every Championship match this campaign, averaging 84 minutes on the pitch.
International
While Chakvetadze has struggled for form and opportunities at club level, on occasion, the same is not true on an international stage. The 25-year-old has already amassed 33 appearances for his country, scoring 9 goals. He scored on his full international debut, a friendly versus Lithuania in March 2018, and has been a regular feature among the Georgian squad since.
Some of you may remember him from Georgia’s time in Euro 2024. The two main stars for the tournament’s lowest-ranked team were Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili but Chakvetadze also caught the eye. He put in a great shift in the shock 2-0 win over Portugal and was one of his country’s best players in the 4-1 defeat to Spain. Although he did not score or assist during the tournament, he covered a lot of ground, battled hard and progressed the ball.
How Good Is Chakvetadze?
✍️ We are delighted to announce that Giorgi Chakvetadze has signed a new five-year contract with the Hornets.
Huge congratulations, Giorgi!
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) September 26, 2024
Having enjoyed a consistent run of matches, we are starting to see what the 6ft Georgian is capable of. Originally used in more of a supporting attacking midfield role, Tom Cleverley has deployed him as a striker in more recent matches, usually alongside Kwadwo Baah. A more advanced position has not improved his goalscoring rate, however, as Watford’s number 8 only has one league goal to his name. With only two assists on top of this, you may be wondering why the former Gent man is highly rated by Watford fans.
While his end product is lacking to an extent, Chakvetadze is not only a hard worker but he is a creative figure that can get the ball into dangerous areas. At the time of writing, FotMob data shows he is third in the league for chances created (30) and tied third for big chances created (5). As well as this, according to FBref compared to other attacking midfielders/wingers, Chakvetadze is in the 99th percentile for shot-creating actions, and also for progressive carries, and 98th for successful take-ons.
Contract Situation
In September, Chakvetadze penned a five-year deal with Watford, keeping him at the club until 2029. Not only does this suggest he will be happy staying for a while, but it also puts the Hornets in a strong negotiating position should they wish to cash in.
How Much Would Watford Sell For?
Clubs in the Championship will generally let players leave when a top-tier club comes sniffing, provided they are willing to pay the asking price. It is not worth the trouble of keeping a player against their will as it risks souring the dressing room and the player will likely not perform to their usual standard. So, if Chakvetadze was keen to move to the Premier League, Watford would be willing to sell at the right price, just as they did with Yaser Asprilla and Ismael Kone in the summer.
Given Chakvetadze‘s lengthy contract and the risk that a January transfer could harm Watford’s promotion chances, the Georgian would come at a premium though. Some reports have suggested the Hornets would be looking for a fee in the region of £20m. This is perhaps a little more than any interested club would pay but you could potentially see a fee closer to £15m being agreed as a compromise.
Where Might Chakvetadze Go?
As forwards win matches, they are usually in high demand but Chakvetadze is unlikely to offer mass appeal to top-flight clubs. Although he has been deployed as a striker recently, his goalscoring record will likely mean any potential suitors would prefer to play him behind the striker. He has not shown enough ability to tempt the better sides in the division but may appeal to a struggling club looking to improve their chances of avoiding relegation.
We are after a struggling top-flight side in need of a hard-working forward. Wolves could be an option, especially as Gary O’Neil plays a variety of systems which would suit Chakvetadze’s versatility. Wolves’ main issue has been at the back though. They are mid-table when it comes to goals scored so it’s likely an attacking midfielder is not a priority. Additionally, they may have dragged themselves out of trouble by January.
It’s perfectly possible that the Wolves links are just tabloid talk and there is no genuine interest. Outside of Gary O’Neil’s side, there is no obvious candidate to sign him, at least in the Premier League. Clubs from abroad will likely be too put off by the supposed £20m price tag. So on balance, we think the most likely scenario is Chakvetadze is still a Watford player by the end of January. A summer move is a more probable option if the Hornets fail to secure promotion this year.
