Liverpool is reportedly plotting a dramatic late move for Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Heavily linked with an exit earlier in the summer, his agent already spoke out about the transfer plan .
According to Football Insider , Liverpool has missed out on "multiple top targets" this summer and, as a result, wants to make a marquee addition in what remains of the transfer window, with apparent long-term target Kvaratskhelia lined up as the perfect signing.
We're not sure Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have a "marquee" filter on their spreadsheet of targets, and pivoting to a winger because of missing out on Martin Zubimendi and Leny Yoro would seem strange, to say the least. But it has been speculated for a while that Arne Slot would appreciate more attacking depth in wide areas, and the two-footed Kvaratskhelia has the potential to be a long-term Mohamed Salah heir.
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With Liverpool closing in on a deal for Georgian compatriot Giorgi Mamardashvili , you'd think Anfield might also be an even more attractive destination for Kvaratskhelia. So, is a deal even vaguely plausible?
Fortunately, his agent has already spoken about his future this summer. Kvaratskhelia and Napoli looked to be on a collision course around the time of the Euros, with the player's camp seemingly very keen on a move away.
“I don’t want people to think that Kvara wants to stay at Napoli," agent Mamuka Jugeli bluntly told Georgian outlet Imedi in June. “We want to leave, but we are waiting for the end of the Euros so as not to disturb Khvicha. The priority is to join a team that plays in the Champions League .”
Kvaratskhelia's father made similar remarks , expressing his desire for his son to leave Napoli this summer. He criticized the disruption at the club last season.
Liverpool, of course, has qualified for the Champions League. But it should not get its hopes up too much, because Kvaratskhelia's camp have since performed a U-turn .
"Kvaratskhelia without the Champions League? Then he wants to win the Scudetto,” Jugeli said (via Corriere dello Sport ). “For the future everything depends on the president of Napoli. If he thinks of selling Kvara, he will do. If he wants the renewal, he will renew."
Kvaratskhelia's existing deal runs to 2027, giving Napoli a pretty strong hand in any negotiations. Time will tell if Liverpool really does try to pull off the audacious raid.
Liverpool.com says: Kvaratskhelia would be a great fit for Liverpool. His pace and directness would really add a new dimension to Slot's attack, while future-proofing it at the same time.
But getting him out of Napoli was never going to be an easy operation this summer. Doing it as such a late stage seems a very tall order.
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