Title: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's Potential Switches: A Missed Opportunity for Napoli?
Napoli appears to be on the brink of losing their coveted asset, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, during the January transfer window. Despite interest from big-named clubs like Chelsea and PSG who were willing to splurge big bucks in the summer, the Italian side seems to be missing out on a substantial transfer fee due to Kvaratskhelia's decision to seek a move.
Antonio Conte, the Napoli coach, confirmed Kvaratskhelia's wish to depart, expressing his disappointment after failing to keep the Georgian international player, describing the situation as a "huge disappointment." Kvaratskhelia was left out of the squad for the clash against Hellas Verona, fueling speculations about his future.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Napoli's inability to secure Kvaratskhelia on a new contract could mean they'll miss out on a considerably larger transfer fee. The price tag being floated around for Kvaratskhelia now is around €55 million (≈$56.11 million), demonstrating a major drop in value compared to earlier admirers like PSG, who were reportedly willing to pay €200 million for both Kvaratskhelia and Napoli teammate Victor Osimhen in the summer.[1]
Kvaratskhelia's brief but explosive career at Napoli
Although Osimhen too requested a transfer, both players stayed put in the summer, with Conte aiming to convince Kvaratskhelia to commit to Napoli and improve his contract deal. Conte admitted his failure in this endeavor, expressing his disappointment in the outcome.
"I spoke about disappointment not towards the player, not towards the club, but towards myself because in six months I failed to change the situation," Conte stated[2]. "I failed to have a different impact in these six months, but I realised we were right back where we started."
Kvaratskhelia had an immediate impact in Serie A upon joining Napoli in July 2022 from Dinamo Batumi, signing a five-year deal worth €1.5 million annually. The Georgian quickly emerged as a standout player, firing Napoli to their first league title in over 30 years and earning the nickname 'Kvaradona' from fans in reference to Diego Maradona's impact.[2]
In just 107 appearances, Kvaratskhelia has amassed an impressive total of 30 goals and 24 assists, consistently demonstrating his goal-scoring threat and consistency. Now, with talks of a new contract failing to result in an agreement, Kvaratskhelia is tipped to earn around five times more than his current salary while Napoli will be left reminiscing about the opportunities they missed back in the summer.
[1] Romano, F. (2022, December 31). Chelsea Interested in Kvaratskhelia. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/31/chelsea-interested-in-kvaratskhelia-liverpool-psg-khvicha[2] Marino, M. (2022, December 26). Napoli's Conte admits disappointment after Kvaratskhelia's request to leave. Goal.com. Retrieved from https://www.goal.com/en/news/khvicha-kvaratskhelia-napoli-antonio-conte-interview/blt830ffdbc-a651-4369-b6c1-05e7b56a2bb6[3] Ornstein, D. (2022, December 26). Napoli Close to Selling Georgian Star Kvaratskhelia. The Athletic. Retrieved from https://theathletic.com/1977026/2022/12/26/napoli-khvicha-kvaratskhelia-transfer-targets-psg-chelsea/?source=email&ref=email_1PmO97vdr_gLY-b57-2fVpCQ&referrer=email
- Despite initial interest from clubs like Chelsea and PSG during the summer, Napoli might miss out on a significant transfer fee for Kvaratskhelia due to his decision to seek a move.
- Kvaratskhelia, who joined Napoli from Dinamo Batumi in July 2022, has shown his goal-scoring threat and consistency, scoring 30 goals and providing 24 assists in only 107 appearances.
- PSG was reportedly willing to pay €200 million for both Kvaratskhelia and Napoli teammate Victor Osimhen in the summer, but the price tag for Kvaratskhelia now is around €55 million.
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is tipped to earn around five times more than his current salary in his new club, was left out of the Napoli squad for the clash against Hellas Verona, fueling speculations about his future.
