Newcastle United fans got the chance to get a closer look at one of their summer transfer targets on Tuesday.
There were no Newcastle United players involved at Euro 2024 on Tuesday, but there was a player who the Magpies have been looking at possibly signing.
Georgia took on Turkey in their Euros opener in Dortmund, but were beaten 3-1 despite a spirited performance.
It was an enthralling game filled with brilliant goals, fabulous saves and end-to-end action, and it culminated with Arda Guler hogging the headlines. He scored a screamer, one year after signing for Real Madrid despite interest from Newcastle.
And the man he scored against has also been on the Magpies’ radar.
Newcastle transfer target in action at Euro 2024
Georgia can be considered as international minnows, but they do have some top level players at both ends of the pitch. In attack, their talisman is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, while they have got Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili in between the sticks.
But Newcastle had initially hoped that the 23-year-old would be their goalkeeper next season.
He was the Magpies’ preferred target at the start of the summer, only for Newcastle to decide that he was going to cost too much money with Valencia wanting £35million. On top of that, a deal was complicated by the fact that Mamardashvili was not enthused about not being the guaranteed number one and having to battle with Nick Pope.
And he showed on Tuesday why he should be a guaranteed starter wherever he goes – even if his night ended in embarrassment.
Impressive display by Giorgi Mamardashvili against Turkey
On the face of it, Mamardashvili conceded three goals, one of which he was caught miles out of position for. He had pushed forward in stoppage time as Georgia went in search of an equaliser, only for Turkey to counterattack and make it 3-1 as Kerem Akturkoglu hit the back of an empty net.
It was a sad ending for Mamardashvili, who was made to look foolish as he sprinted back to try and protect his goal.
In truth, it will have been a frustrating game for the Valencia stopper. He was beaten by two outrageous goals, and the third came in a do or die situation when Georgia had everyone up for a corner.
Mamardashvili was helpless for Turkey’s first two goals, but was able to prove throughout the game why Newcastle have been so keen to sign him.
He was a commanding presence, making five saves and claiming three crosses. In terms of goalkeeping fundamentals, he was absolutely spot on. You could see exactly why Newcastle wanted him to come in and eventually be Nick Pope’s replacement.
Newcastle moving for James Trafford instead
But that deal appears to be off the cards, with the Magpies now targeting James Trafford. He is a level below Mamardashvili, but will have arrive as an out-and-out number two.
If the club had more cash to splash, you have to imagine they would be going all out for Mamardashvili. He is a player who Eddie Howe really likes, but sadly the Newcastle boss will have to admire him from afar.
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