Euro 2024 hero ‘upset’ with Newcastle United offer as £35m transfer fee doubles overnight

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou hailed Giorgi Mamardashvili as “outstanding” just weeks after interest from Newcastle United reportedly broke down.

Georgia stunned Euro 2024 by beating Portugal 2-0, creating history by reaching the knockout stages at their first-ever major tournament. Napoli sensation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia led the line, bagging an opener after just 90 seconds before running the Portuguese ragged all night.

However, it was former Toon target Mamardashvili who stole the show with a man-of-the-match display between the sticks. His save to deny Diogo Dalot from distance on 53 minutes is being billed as the best of the tournament so far.

Mamardashvili also tops the charts with the most saves at the Euros (20) - highlighting his importance to Georgia further. The 23-year-old was understood to have been on Newcastle’s radar following an impressive campaign at Valencia.

Despite finishing ninth, Mamardashvili ranked fourth for clean sheets in La Liga last season. Valencia are understood to have demanded £35million for the shot-stopper, with Newcastle one club vying for his signature.

Spanish outlet Plaza Deportiva claimed last week that Mamardashvili was upset by United’s offer. Toon chiefs could not promise guaranteed first-team football - a non-negotiable for the young keeper.

That price tag may well have just doubled given his Euro 2024 performances but Valencia remain keen on selling their prized asset. They have already signed North Macedonian international Stole Dimitrievski as a replacement.

Spurs boss Postecoglou raved about Mamardashvili following Georgia’s historic win last night. He told ITV. “An outstanding goalkeeper, Mamardashvili. He is the one that everyone is tracking. He has had a strong season at Valencia.

“When you have got a good goalkeeper: a strong goalkeeper and in-form, then he keeps you in those games and then you have the quality up the other end and they can cause problems.”