Newly-appointed Napoli manager Antonio Conte affirms that Liverpool-linked attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will be staying in Naples this summer.
Napoli head coach Antonio Conte has insisted that star attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will be going nowhere this summer, despite interest from Liverpool.
The 23-year-old is regarded as one of two jewels in the Partenopei crown alongside Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, having excelled since joining from Dinamo Batumi in 2022.
Kvaratskhelia won the Serie A title in his debut campaign, coming up with 14 goals and 17 assists in all competitions, although his influence waned ever so slightly in the 2023-24 season.
Nevertheless, Kvaratskhelia still contributed 11 goals and nine assists from 45 matches, but an atrocious Serie A title defence from Napoli saw the 2022-23 champions finish 10th in the table and miss out on European football entirely.
Napoli’s failure to nab a spot on the continent has naturally led to the expectation that their star assets could be sold this summer, and Kvaratskhelia has long been linked with a move to the Premier League.
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Conte: ‘Kvaratskhelia is very happy at Napoli’
Manchester City and Newcastle United have previously been tipped to move for the attacker, but a report last month claimed that Liverpool had made an enquiry to sign the Georgia international.
Kvaratskhelia’s father has talked up the prospect of his son leaving Napoli ahead of the 2024-25 season, prompting a firm response from the club, who stated that the winger was not for sale under any circumstances.
Kvaratskhelia still has three years left to run on his contract in Naples, and following talks with president Aurelio de Laurentiis, Conte confirmed that the 23-year-old would be staying put alongside captain Giovanni di Lorenzo.
“The president told me he was gonna stay and this is the case, I’m very happy. Kvaratskhelia and Di Lorenzo are key part of our project,” Fabrizio Romano quotes Conte as saying.
Romano adds that Napoli are optimistic of agreeing a new deal with the Georgia international, who helped his nation qualify for their first major tournament at Euro 2024, where they unexpectedly reached the last 16.
🔵🇬🇪 Antonio Conte confirms there’s no chance for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia exit: “The president told me he was gonna stay and this is the case, I’m very happy”.
“Kvaratskhelia and Di Lorenzo are key part of our project”.
↪️🤝🏻 Napoli are confident to agree on new deal with Kvara. pic.twitter.com/lrKQffBWTb
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 13, 2024
Kvaratskhelia scored in his nation’s shock victory over Portugal in their final group fixture, but their magical run came to an end with a 4-1 crushing at the hands of finalists Spain in the last 16.
What alternative wingers can Liverpool target?
While Conte’s admission means that Liverpool have lost out on one attacker that they admire, their interest never progressed past an initial enquiry, and they may have been quoted at least £100m to sign him anyway.
Instead, the Reds are said to have taken a liking to PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko, whom Arne Slot knows from his time in the Eredivisie, and he could be available for around €50m (£43m).
West Ham United pair Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen are also believed to be of interest to Liverpool, who are facing uncertainty over the futures of both Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz.
The former has now entered the last 12 months of his deal but should be offered an extension, while Diaz – who is still on the same terms from his arrival in January 2022 – has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona.