Ben Jacobs has admitted that Newcastle United still hold a keen interest in Georgian superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The Lowdown: Howe keen on more attacking signings

Despite spending big on Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon during the last two transfer windows, it seems as though Eddie Howe is still not satisfied with his attacking options at Newcastle.

Indeed, the Magpies have been linked with moves for top-name talents - including out in Serie A - such as Kvaratskhelia and Dusan Vlahovic, who have become established names in the Italian top flight.

And it is the former who is perhaps more likely to be the most coveted in the summer, as Kvaratskhelia currently has 28 goal involvements to his name this season having cost Napoli around £10m - while Newcastle have been long-time admirers of the Georgian.

The Latest: Kvaratskhelia still on Newcastle's radar

Jacobs has revealed on the NUFC Matters YouTube channel that Kvaratskhelia is still on Newcastle's radar after they were linked with a £50m move last January.

Discussing Vlahovic and Kvaratskhelia's links to Tyneside moves, he said: "The other one that Newcastle are looking at who's a very different kind of forward, and I've mentioned this many times is so-called 'Kvaradona', who is over at Napoli and is a Georgian forward or playmaker or winger; he's versatile, he can play in a variety of different positions.

"Kvaratskhelia is his actual name, but he's known as Kvaradona after Maradona, and there's a sort of beautiful poetry there because the last time Napoli won Serie A, it was Maradona - and now Kvaradona, along with Victor Osimhen, is leading them to success. And he's a goals and assists machine at the moment, and the partnership with Osimhen is incredible.

"Newcastle and Manchester City are very interested in him, but they have to understand what's possible, because Napoli are flying, they're on a procession to Serie A, and on top of that, they are Champions League contenders, so regardless of what happens this season, everything is going according to plan at Napoli, and they're going to want to hang onto their best players."

The Verdict: Newcastle will struggle to tempt Kvaratskhelia away

Given the form that Kvaratskhelia has been showing in the Champions League and Serie A this season - which has the Italian outfit as a serious contender in Europe's elite competition - Newcastle will do very well to even tempt him to join.

After all, Napoli are on the up and ready to compete for the highest honours right now, whereas Newcastle are still improving and developing under Eddie Howe - with their limp display in the Carabao Cup final showing how big of a gap they must still close to be considered among the elite of European clubs.

With reports suggesting that Kvaratskhelia was of interest to Newcastle with a £50m fee being touted around, that price will surely have increased dramatically given the displays he's continued to put in since the transfer window closed, and that money could be better spent improving the Magpies' entire squad rather than in just one position.