Fabrizio Romano hints at winner as Man Utd battle Tottenham and two others for ‘one of the best’ in LaLiga

One of LaLiga’s best players is destined to move this summer and Fabrizio Romano has revealed which of Man Utd, Tottenham, Chelsea and Leicester are favourites to complete the coup.

Spanish outlet COPE state it’s an ‘open secret’ the rapid rise of giant goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has not gone unnoticed around Europe.

The Georgia international – who stands at a lofty 6ft 5in tall – is earning rave reviews for his displays at Valencia this season.

Valencia currently lay in 17th position in LaLiga, just one spot outside of the relegation zone.

As you’d expect, Mamardashvili has not lacked for opportunities to prove his worth this season and it’s no exaggeration to say Valencia might already be doomed if not for the stopper’s heroics.

However, the Spanish side’s financial strife will reportedly force them into cashing in on Mamardashvili this summer.

On that front, both COPE and Fabrizio Romano has provided updates on who they believe will win the race.

Firstly, COPE state Mamardashvili’s agents met with Chelsea officials on Tuesday night when the Blues hosted Liverpool in the Premier League.

The Blues are deemed ‘very interested’ in signing the Georgian who’d either supplant or at the very least contend with Kepa for the starting role. Edouard Mendy’s time as a regular starter appears to be at an end.

Chelsea are said to be ‘ready’ to sign Mamardashvili ‘as soon as the summer market opens’. As such, Todd Boehly’s side are deemed frontrunners in the race ahead of Man Utd and Tottenham who are both directly named.

Spurs and United have both made formal enquiries into a Mamardashvili deal, though it’s seemingly the Blues who are out in front.

Tottenham are known to be hunting a successor to Hugo Lloris this summer. The veteran Frenchman has suffered a steep and dramatic loss of form in recent years.

United, meanwhile, are on the hunt for a high class back-up to David de Gea – assuming he signs a new deal. De Gea’s current contract is up in June, though negotiations over an extension are underway.

On the subject of cost, Mamardashvili’s current contract – that runs until 2027 – is believed to contain a release clause worth €100m (approx. £88m). However, the stopper isn’t expected to cost anywhere near that amount if moving.

Fabrizio Romano names different favourite

But while COPE list Chelsea as being on pole position, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano paints a different picture.

The trusted reporter tweeted that it’s actually Leicester who are ‘leading the race’ for Mamardashvili’s signature. Of course, the Foxes would only stand a chance of forging a deal if they avoid relegation.

Romano confirmed the stopper is attracting widespread interest and echoed the claims the player’s agent arrived in London earlier this week.

The aim of Mamardashvili’s agent? To work on a summer transfer, according to Romano.

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