Barcelona have been presented with a potential opportunity to sign Napoli’s star winger, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
According to a recent report from Fichajes, the Georgian attacker, who has gained a reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in European football, could be available for transfer if Napoli fail to secure his long-term commitment.
This development has caught the attention of several top clubs, including Barcelona, as Napoli weigh their options.
What’s the story?
Currently, Napoli’s priority is to retain Kvaratskhelia by offering him a new contract. However, progress on renewal has been slow, leaving the Serie A side in a difficult position.
With Kvaratskhelia’s current deal running until 2027, Napoli face the risk of the player leaving for free if his contract eventually runs out.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could leave Napoli next summer. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
To avoid this scenario, the club is reportedly considering selling him during the next summer transfer window if an agreement cannot be reached.
Such a decision would allow Napoli to reinvest the proceeds in new signings to remain competitive in Italy and Europe.
Barcelona are one of the competitors
From Barcelona’s perspective, Kvaratskhelia ticks all the right boxes. The winger’s exceptional dribbling, pace, and game-changing abilities make him an ideal fit for Barcelona’s attacking style of play.
The Catalan giants are reportedly keeping a close eye on the situation, especially as Napoli’s willingness to negotiate could present a rare opportunity to land a player of his calibre.
However, Barcelona are likely to face stiff competition from other European heavyweights, who are also monitoring the player’s availability. Furthermore, one potential hurdle in any transfer is Kvaratskhelia’s release clause, which could be significant.
Nonetheless, if the Georgian winger continues to resist contract renewal talks, Napoli might lower their asking price next summer to avoid losing him for nothing.
This creates a compelling scenario where Barcelona must act decisively, knowing that acquiring a player of Kvaratskhelia’s quality could be a game-changer for their squad.
*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on the date of publication.