Roma’s search for a new attacking outlet may not require a long-distance expedition. The club are weighing a move for Frosinone winger Giorgi Kvernadze, whose start to the season has made him one of Serie A’s most productive wide players and placed him firmly on Gian Piero Gasperini’s radar.
The 23-year-old Georgian has become a central figure for Massimiliano Alvini’s Frosinone, combining pace, close control and a growing decisiveness in the final third. Roma see him as a possible answer to a position they have pursued through recent windows: a right-footed player operating from the left.
Quick facts
- Roma are considering Frosinone’s Giorgi Kvernadze for their left-sided attacking role.
- Kvernadze has recorded five goals and two assists this season.
- He leads Serie A for successful dribbles, with 16 from 30 attempts.
- Frosinone would seek at least €25 million for the 23-year-old.
- Gasperini and sporting director Tony D’Amico both admire the Georgian.
The distance between Rome and Frosinone is roughly 90 kilometres, but the negotiations would not be straightforward. Frosinone regard Kvernadze as one of their leading assets and have no intention of selling without a major offer, with a price of no less than €25 million envisaged.
Roma’s interest follows unsuccessful attempts to bring in Crysencio Summerville and Jamie Leweling. Chelsea’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has also been monitored, although Kvernadze’s experience in Italian football and his development at the Stirpe have moved him ahead in the current thinking.
Kvernadze has supplied five goals and two assists in the early part of the campaign, while his one-versus-one numbers underline why he has drawn attention. No Serie A player has completed more dribbles so far: 16 successful attempts from 30.
He generally begins wide before driving inside on his stronger right foot, offering the capacity to break a line rather than simply occupy a flank. He can also be used as an attacking midfielder or as a more orthodox wing-back, versatility that would give Roma another option across the forward unit.
There have been frequent comparisons in Italy with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, based on their nationality, role and manner of carrying the ball. The two players share agent Mamuka Jugeli, although Kvernadze has handled the parallel without allowing it to obscure his own progress at Frosinone.
Roma are not alone in tracking him. Scouts from Premier League and Bundesliga clubs have recently been present in the main stand at the Stirpe, a sign that Frosinone’s winger is now being assessed beyond Italy as well.
For Gasperini, Kvernadze could add a different type of acceleration around an attacking group already featuring Paulo Dybala, Rodrigo Mora, Matias Soulé and Donyell Malen. Roma’s idea would be to increase the supply into Malen through Dybala’s craft, Mora and Soulé’s energy, and the Georgian’s ability to carry the ball through opponents.
It is a profile familiar to the coach from his years at Atalanta: a wide player capable of turning possession into territory and creating danger close to goal. For Frosinone, meanwhile, Kvernadze’s form is helping to widen the club’s horizon while making the eventual decision over his future more valuable by the week.
