Villarreal striker Georges Mikautadze has said he is ready to move to a bigger club, with Tottenham, Newcastle and Barcelona all credited with interest in the Georgia international.
The 26-year-old has followed an unusual career path, breaking through at French side Metz before a move to Ajax that did not work out, prompting his return to his first professional club. He then joined Lyon in 2024 and switched again the following year to Villarreal.
Impressive form at Villarreal
Mikautadze scored 15 goals in all competitions last season and has netted five so far this campaign, including the opener in the 4-3 defeat at Liverpool in the Champions League last month.
Asked about the links, he told L'Equipe: 'I think I'm ready to go to a big club. I have everything I need and I try to show it every time. I just maybe need a little more time.'
Specifically responding to Barcelona's interest, he added: 'Yes, it's flattering and it motivates me even more. It also means that the work is being done well.'
Barcelona admiration and next test
'As a child, ever since the Xavi-Iniesta-Busquets era and the MSN [Messi-Suarez-Neymar] trio, I've been a Barca supporter. But I hadn't really thought about it,' he said.
Mikautadze will hope to showcase his talents on Tuesday night when Villarreal take on Paris Saint-Germain. PSG sit top of the Champions League group stage table with three wins from three games, bidding for a third consecutive European title.
PSG coach Luis Enrique, who has led the club to two Champions League crowns, was philosophical about his achievements ahead of the encounter. 'We have all won, we have all lost,' he said. 'I have been through countless situations where I was considered a "fraud" by a lot of people, and that fraud has kept evolving and improving, because that is the mindset a coach must have.'
'And now, everyone thinks I'm "the chosen one" or I don't know what. And this is all a lie, all a lie. The important thing is to follow your path. And along the path, the beautiful thing is that there are potholes, curves, and climbs.'
'Then the downhills also appear, which are very rewarding, but in the end, you appreciate the bad moments more. And if this is a "bad moment" for Villarreal, quote-unquote, I am sure they will get many positive things out of it,' he added.
