Conte Reveals Kvaratskhelia Transfer Request Amid PSG Talks
Napoli manager Antonio Conte has confirmed that star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has requested a transfer, as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) reportedly work on finalizing a deal for the Georgian international.
Kvaratskhelia’s Impact at Napoli
Kvaratskhelia has been a standout performer since joining Napoli from Dinamo Batumi in 2022. In his debut season, he played a pivotal role in Napoli’s historic Serie A title win, their first since the Diego Maradona era. The winger tallied 12 goals and 10 assists during the 2022-23 campaign, earning widespread acclaim for his creativity and attacking prowess.
However, Napoli’s fortunes dipped during a turbulent 2023-24 season, where they cycled through three head coaches and finished 10th in Serie A. Despite this, Kvaratskhelia remained a key contributor and has continued his strong form this season, registering five goals and three assists in Serie A. His 28 chances created and 67 attempted dribbles rank among the best in the league.
PSG Interest and Transfer Talks
Reports on Saturday indicated that Kvaratskhelia has already agreed to personal terms with PSG, fueling speculation about an imminent move. Conte, speaking ahead of Napoli’s match against Verona, confirmed that the 23-year-old had expressed a desire to leave.
Conte’s Comments on Kvaratskhelia’s Future
Conte addressed the situation in a pre-match press conference:
“I will answer, I have never shied away from uncomfortable questions. If I speak, it is because I tell the truth, otherwise, I prefer to remain silent. I don’t like to tell lies.”
The Napoli manager revealed that Kvaratskhelia had initially asked to leave during the summer transfer window, but the club managed to retain him:
“Six months ago, I had to convince the players I considered fundamental for this project to stay, but many wanted to take other paths.”
When asked about replacing the Georgian, Conte was less optimistic:
“Honestly, I haven’t seen profiles that can replace him. It’s too fresh, a bolt from the blue. Today, the most important thing is tomorrow’s match [against Verona]. No evaluations have been made because Kvara is now a Napoli player. Then tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or on January 31, we will see.”
Kvaratskhelia’s Serie A Dominance
Since arriving in Serie A, Kvaratskhelia has established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic players.
- Goal Involvements: 47 (fifth in Serie A since 2022)
- Chances Created: 145 (second in Serie A since 2022)
- Dribbles Attempted: 482 (first in Serie A since 2022)
- Dribbles Completed: 196 (first in Serie A since 2022)
What’s Next?
While Conte has reiterated that Kvaratskhelia remains a Napoli player for now, PSG’s interest and the player’s transfer request suggest a move could materialize before the January transfer window closes. Napoli will face the challenge of replacing one of their most influential players should the deal go through.
For now, Conte and Napoli remain focused on their Serie A campaign, with their title aspirations hanging in the balance.
