Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Requests Transfer From Napoli As PSG Negotiations Progress

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Antonio Conte has disclosed that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has expressed a desire to depart from Napoli. Paris Saint-Germain is actively pursuing a deal for the Georgian international. Since joining from Dinamo Batumi in 2022, Kvaratskhelia has been instrumental in Napoli's success, contributing significantly to their first Scudetto win since the Diego Maradona era during his debut season in Italy.

Despite a challenging 2023-24 season where Napoli cycled through three head coaches and finished 10th in Serie A, Kvaratskhelia's performance remained noteworthy. He scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists as Napoli dominated the league in the previous season. This term, he has already contributed to eight goals (five goals and three assists), with Napoli back in title contention under Conte's leadership.

Reports on Saturday indicated that Kvaratskhelia had reached personal terms with PSG, sparking further transfer speculation. Conte omitted him from Napoli's squad for Sunday's match against Verona, leading to questions about his future during a pre-match press conference. "I will answer, I have never shied away from uncomfortable questions," Conte stated. "If I speak, it is because I tell the truth, otherwise I prefer to remain silent. I don't like to tell lies."

Conte emphasised Kvaratskhelia's importance to the team, stating that he insisted on retaining certain players over the summer, including the Georgian winger. "This summer, I demanded that some players be confirmed and among them was Khvicha," Conte explained. However, he acknowledged that several players had expressed a desire to leave at that time.

The coach expressed concerns about finding a suitable replacement for Kvaratskhelia if he were to leave. "Honestly, I haven't seen profiles that can replace him," Conte admitted. He described the situation as unexpected and stressed his current focus on upcoming matches rather than player transfers.

Kvaratskhelia's impact since joining Serie A is evident in his statistics. He ranks fifth for goal involvements (47), second for chances created (145), and leads in both dribbles attempted (482) and completed (196). His contributions have made him one of the standout performers in the league.

Conte reiterated that no decisions have been made regarding Kvaratskhelia's future at Napoli. "No evaluations have been made because Kvara is now a Napoli player," he said. The situation remains fluid, with potential developments expected closer to the January transfer window deadline.

The coach concluded by saying it is essential for the club, player, and his representatives to handle the situation appropriately. "It is right to leave it to the club, the player and his entourage," Conte remarked. He acknowledged having done everything within his capacity regarding this matter.