Liverpool would jump at the chance to bring Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to the Premier League if made available while Manchester City have talked to his camp in recent weeks.
Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
In the aftermath of Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday afternoon – a result which put Arne Slot’s side nine points clear of Arsenal and 11 ahead of the reigning champions – the wide options at both clubs became a point of much discussion.
Pep Guardiola left Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku and Savinho out of his starting XI at Anfield, alongside Kevin de Bruyne. The inclusions of Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis on the flanks, meanwhile, hardly had the desired affect Guardiola was hoping for.
Back at Liverpool, meanwhile, barely a day goes by without speculation over Mo Salah’s future.
TBR understands that Paris Saint-Germain are keen to bring Salah to France.
In the meantime, talks over a new deal at Liverpool – his contract expires in 2025 – remain difficult. Salah wants a three-year extension, though the Fenway Sports Group may have reservations about whether a 32-year-old forward can maintain his sky-high standards for quite so long.
So while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia would not be a like-for-like replacement – he prefers to play on the right rather than the left – Liverpool’s interest in the Napoli superstar is likely to have something to do with the uncertainty hanging over Salah at present.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A football match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli. SSC Napoli w...
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
Liverpool and Manchester City in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia race
TBR can confirm that Liverpool are huge fans of 2023 Serie A Player of the Year Kvaratskhelia.
The Georgia international is seen as a player The Reds bosses are in complete unison over, meaning they would all be on the same regarding a potential approach should it become clear that there is a deal there to be done.
Manchester City, meanwhile, have confirmed to Kvaratskhelia’s representatives in recent weeks that they want to be kept abreast of the situation. Paris Saitn-Germain, Real Madrid and Barcelona also remain intersted.
Napoli reportedly value Kvaratskhelia at £83 million
Kvaratskhelia’s contract runs until 2027. But, like with Salah, discussions over an extension have proven to be full of difficulties.
Napoli are ready to offer him a huge pay rise. Kvaratskhelia remains on the same terms he agreed when joining from Dinamo Batumi back in 2022. The former Rubin Kazan star’s representatives are insisting upon a release clause of less than £100 million, however, albeit one that would not become active until 2026.
Napoli may not be quite so keen on the idea, given that it would weaken their hand in future negotiations.
“The future is on his side. With the qualities he has, he can only grow and improve further,” Cristian Zaccardo, Kvaratskhelia’s agent, told a transfer event this week. “I am confident.”
Italian publication Sport Mediaset, meanwhile, reported last week that Napoli would likely demand around 100 million euros – or £83 million – from any club hoping to sign Kvaratskhelia in 2025.
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