EXCLUSIVE: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tipped to sign for Arsenal or Manchester City

Bence Bocsák

• Updated: 11 Jul 2024 12:09 BST
• 4 min read

Exclusive

After Napoli’s turbulent 2023/24 campaign, it’s no surprise that some of the club’s best stars are looking to leave, including Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Football Transfers has been speaking exclusively to his former coach, Gela Davitadze.

Having lit up Euro 2024 and causing one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by helping Georgia to beat Portugal 2-0, Kvaratskhelia has caught the eye of potential suitors.

The Napoli winger is regarded as one of the best in his position in European football and with no Champions League football to look forward to at Napoli next season – the club face a difficult task to keep hold of him.

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Napoli may be adamant that they will retain the services of the flair-packed winger, but Davitadze, who coached Kvaratskhelia at Dinamo Batumi, believes that the Georgian is keen to move away from the club this summer.

“My big respect for Napoli. But I think he wants to move,” Davitadze explained to Football Transfers.

And the Dinamo Batumi technical coach tipped his former protégé to join the Premier League.

“For this situation, if he goes to the Premier League, it would be the best solution for him. A team like Manchester City or Arsenal would be very suitable. Aside from the Premier League, I think Barcelona would also be a suitable destination for him. But I want him to join the Premier League and watch him play against the best teams.”

Davitadze named Manchester City as the best possible solution for Kvaratskhelia, describing it as an ideal move for both the club and the player.

“Manchester City's style is suitable for Khvicha. City play amazing football with Pep Guardiola and I think in City, Khvicha would be one of the best players. I know City have very good players in this position like [Jack] Grealish and [Jeremy] Doku, I respect them but I think he could be even better and he could give even more.”

The Dinamo Batumi technical coach then explained how he thinks a player like Kvaratskhelia could have even led City to European glory last season.

“For example, if City had Khvicha against Real Madrid in the Champions League I think they would have been able to beat them because he has various dribbling skills and he is not a one-dimension player – and he can dribble against any opponent,” he said.

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City have history in this regard, with compatriot Georgi Kinkladze a former favourite at Maine Road.

“I think Khvicha would be the best solution for City. Georgi Kinkladze was a genius at Manchester City. Maybe one day Kvicha could follow in his footsteps and join City,” he said.

Napoli determined to keep 'Kvaradona'

Napoli have repeatedly insisted that they will not sell Kvaratskhelia, who has courted interest from PSG in recent months.

The Serie A giants are even aiming to present him with a new contract, though with Victor Osimhen's situation at the club having apparently struck an impasse, they will have to be careful over their wage bill.

If Kvaratskhelia does depart, it will be for a fee well in excess of €100 million, making him inaccessible to all but a few clubs.