Napoli hit out at agent of €100m star after Osimhen Instagram rant

Robin Bairner

Updated: 17 Jun 2024 07:50 BST
4 min read

Victor Osimhen, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Napoli, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Napoli have released a statement indicating they have no intention of allowing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to leave the club in a move that threatens to spark a war with the player.

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On Sunday, Kvaratskhelia’s father indicated that he wants his son to leave Napoli, with PSG the likeliest destination for the 23-year-old.

The Serie A club, though, have hit back in angry style, indicating that they will not let the player depart.

STATS

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

AM (CL), F (L)

Napoli

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

AM (CL), F (L)

Napoli

45

Games
11

Goals
7

Assists

Mamuka Jugeli, his agent, said: "We want to leave Napoli. With Antonio Conte, Napoli have big plans.

"I'm sure they will qualify to the Champions League again next season and fight for the Scudetto. But that doesn't mean that Kvaratskhelia wants to stay there.

"I didn't talk with Khvicha about this issue, the most important thing for him is National team. Our goal is the team that plays in the Champions League.

"The worst thing is that if he stays here, Khvicha will lose one year because of that… we are worried."

On the eve of Georgia’s Euro 2024 debut, Kvaratskhelia’s dad fumed over the running of the club.

“I don't want Khvicha to stay in Napoli,” he told Sport Imedi.

“He worked with four different coaches in one year, this worries me a lot — he will decide for himself, although it's uncomfortable for me.

“I haven't talked to Khvicha about this topic, I'm not going to until the end of the Euro 2024.”

Napoli responded with a strongly worded official statement.

“After Kvaratskhelia’s camp statement, we want to remind that he’s under contract until June 2027,” the club replied (via Fabrizio Romano).

“Kvaratskhelia is NOT for sale.

“Player’s agents do NOT decide where they are going, but it’s Napoli deciding when they are under contract.”

The brewing battle between the Kvaratskhelia and Napoli, meanwhile, is sure to attract suitors to a player who scored 11 Serie A goals last season and delivered eight further assists.

PSG have reportedly made a formal approach for the winger already this summer, with claims that this was pegged somewhere between €60-80 million. This is well short of the €105m price that Manchester City were told to pay last summer.

Kvaratskhelia, meanwhile, is not the only Napoli superstar involved in drama.

Osimhen in Instagram rant

Over the weekend, striker Victor Osimhen went on a spectacular Instagram rant against Nigeria head coach Finidi George, who stood accused of claiming the striker lacked motivation and desire to play for the country.

This prompted George to resign as Nigeria coach.

Osimhen, meanwhile, is still wanted by both Arsenal and Chelsea, and will leave if a club triggers his €120m release clause. Only Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli appear willing to pay this fee.

Napoli are eager not to lose him and Kvaratskhelia in the same summer, hence their strong stance over the Georgia star.