NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Napoli, the Serie A title contender, is facing the potential departure of another key player who played a crucial role in their last league triumph. Napoli’s head coach, Antonio Conte, revealed on Saturday that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has expressed his desire to leave the club during the January transfer window. Reports suggest that the 23-year-old winger’s representatives are already engaged in discussions with Paris Saint-Germain.
Conte stated, “He has requested to be transferred by the club. I have spoken directly with the player, who confirmed his decision to me. I am disappointed; it came as a surprise, and I am taking a step back. I would never want him to feel that I have restricted his choices here in the future. Last summer, I believed that I had persuaded him to believe in our project, but evidently, I did not succeed. Losing such an integral player is a significant blow.”
Kvaratskhelia, who arrived at Napoli in 2022 from Georgian side Dinamo Batumi for a reported fee of 10 million euros ($10.7 million at that time), was relatively unknown. However, the Georgian international played a pivotal role in Napoli clinching their first Serie A title in 33 years. His exceptional skills on the field earned him the moniker “Kvaradona” in tribute to Napoli legend Diego Maradona, who guided the club to its only previous two league championships. Additionally, Kvaratskhelia was honored as Serie A’s most valuable player in that successful season.
Despite the departure of the title-winning coach Luciano Spalletti, Napoli managed to retain both Kvaratskhelia and their leading goal-scorer Victor Osimhen. However, challenges escalated last season following a disappointing title defense campaign that culminated in the team finishing in 10th place after undergoing three coaching changes.
Osimhen was loaned out to Turkish outfit Galatasaray in September after Napoli struggled to secure a suitable buyer for the discontented forward. Conte emphasized the importance of retaining Kvaratskhelia, who had attracted interest from PSG as they sought to replace Kylian Mbappé.
Conte now seems to acknowledge the defeat in his efforts to retain Kvaratskhelia, signaling a setback for Napoli as they navigate potential changes in their squad composition.
