5. Anzor Mekvabishvili
Anzor Mekvabishvili is not Romanian, but the Georgian international has established himself as arguably the best central midfielder currently playing in Romania.
The 25-year-old joined Universitatea Craiova from Dinamo Tbilisi in January 2024 and has since become a central figure for the club. He combines intelligent passing with excellent positional awareness and rarely appears hurried in possession.
Mekvabishvili is not an especially vocal or demonstrative player, but his performances display maturity and a strong mentality. He controls matches quietly, moves the ball efficiently and can contribute defensively without sacrificing his ability to progress possession.
His international experience is another significant attraction. Mekvabishvili has become a regular member of the Georgian national team and featured at Euro 2024, starting against Turkey during the country’s first appearance at a major tournament.
Chicago Fire reportedly submitted a bid of €2.3 million, while Toulouse have been linked with an offer of approximately €3 million. Craiova may be willing to negotiate should a proposal exceed that figure.
Mekvabishvili appears ideally suited to the Championship. He has the technical quality to deal with pressure, the mentality to handle demanding matches and sufficient experience to contribute immediately. His ceiling could extend beyond the division, potentially allowing him to become a squad player in one of Europe’s leading leagues.