- 7 hours ago
Man Utd and Liverpool on alert as Kvaratskhelia makes SENSATIONAL transfer demand
Suraj Radia
- 11 Jan 2025 08:37 CST
- 4 min read
The January transfer window could be set for a major transfer saga after Antonio Conte revealed that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has asked to leave Napoli this month.
Kvaratskhelia has established himself as one of the standout performers across Europe since his move to Napoli in 2022, scoring 28 times in 85 Serie A appearances.
However, the 23-year-old is still on the same terms as when he signed for Napoli for €13.3 million, with his salary rumoured to be just €1m per year and the contract due to expire in 2027.
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The forward has been reluctant to pen a new deal, leading to attention from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Manchester United in recent weeks, and Conte has now confirmed that Kvaratskhelia has asked to leave the club.
STATS
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
F, AM (L)
Napoli
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
F, AM (L)
Napoli
Speaking on Saturday, Conte said: “He asked the club to be sold. I spoke to the player who confirmed this decision to me.
“I am disappointed, I realized that it was a bolt from the blue and I am taking a step back. I would never want him to think that I have chained him here if he were to stay.
"I did it last summer thinking of convincing him of the goodness of the project but evidently I did not succeed. We are losing an important player”.
Napoli looking to avoid Osimhen repeat
Napoli have reportedly placed an €80m price tag on their star man, with the Italian giants reluctant to let his value drop as his contract winds down, having seen a similar situation occur with Victor Osimhen.
PSG are believed to be leading the race for the Georgian international but the formal revelation of ‘Kvaradona’s desire to leave will likely put other clubs on alert.
Liverpool have asked to be informed of any developments and may now consider an approach, while Man Utd were seeking a deal that could potentially see Marcus Rashford head to Napoli in exchange.
The likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Newcastle are also understood to have a long-term interest in the mercurial winger but it remains to be seen whether anyone will be able to meet Napoli’s demands this month.
The news proves to be a major blow for Conte, whose Napoli side currently top Serie A, with the Italian coach admitting that, while he forced the player to remain at the club last summer, he has now stepped back from the situation.
"We haven't thought about how to replace him yet, it was a bolt from the blue and today the most important thing is tomorrow's match against Verona,” Conte said.
“It's right to leave the ball to the player's entourage and to the club. Personally, I have to try to enhance the available squad, we can't chain anyone.
“If he stays, he must know very well that it's a situation that I haven't managed to resolve yet. The player knows that I've pulled out".
