Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has sparked a potential January transfer window scramble after telling manager Antonio Conte he wants to leave.
The 23-year-old Georgia winger, valued at around £70million, is regarded as one of Europe’s hottest properties and has been linked with Paris St Germain, Chelsea and Liverpool, with the French capital seemingly his most likely destination.
He played a key part in Napoli’s first Serie A title win in 33 years in 2022-23 and is contracted to the club until 2027.
🇬🇪 Kvaratskhelia. What a player!#UCL pic.twitter.com/vRADDD8v2O
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 12, 2022
“Kvaratskhelia has asked to leave the club,” Conte told a press conference ahead of Napoli’s league match at home to Hellas Verona on Sunday.
“I spoke to him and he confirmed his plan to leave the club. I feel very disappointed because I spent six months trying to make him feel at the centre of the project, to make him see that something important could be done.
“There was a contract that was supposed to be renewed. Obviously I didn’t do enough to convince both parties to carry on together.
“I’ll take a step back because I can’t keep chained up a player who doesn’t want to stay.
“He’s not available for Verona. We’ll see what happens, we are losing an important player.
“We haven’t thought how to replace him yet, it was a bolt from the blue and today the most important thing is tomorrow’s match against Verona.
“If Kvara is a Napoli player today, tomorrow or on January 31st, we’ll see. The situation will be monitored but it’s right to leave the ball in the hands of the club, the player and his advisors.”
