Liverpool transfers: Kvaratskhelia addresses links following Euro 2024 heroics
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia helped Georgia to the most famous night in their football history on Wednesday when his side defeated Portugal 2-0 to qualify for the European Championship round of 16.
Kvaratskhelia, 23, scored the first goal of the encounter in Gelsenkirchen, striking after only 90 seconds following a mistake by Benfica prospect Antonio Silva.
The Georgia winger raced clear down the left inside channel before aiming a fine effort into Diogo Costa’s goal.
Willy Sagnol’s side went on to score a second through a Georges Mikautadze penalty, securing a place in the knockout rounds where they will play one of the favourites, Spain, on Sunday.
Kvaratskhelia’s Euro 2024 campaign has been conducted against significant transfer noise back in Naples.
Ahead of the tournament, the player’s agent and his father appeared on Georgian TV to reveal they intended to do everything possible to get him out of Napoli this summer.
The 2022-23 title winner played well again in 2023-24 but there was too much instability at the Diego Maradona stadium with the team now on their fourth coach in little under a year.
Taking up the reins for next season will be Antonio Conte, who was presented to the Naples media and public this week.
It is believed Conte would like to make ‘Kvaradona’ the centre piece of his new Napoli side but it looks like he will have a job on his hand convincing the forward to stick around.
Kvaratskhelia addresses speculation
Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have been previously named as the teams most likely to strike for his signature although Barcelona also maintain an interest.
Despite the noise, Kvaratskhelia is keeping his feet on the ground and giving nothing away regarding his future.
"I respect Conte, he is one of the best coaches, I respect Napoli, I love Napoli but I will decide my future after the European Championships, now I'm happy here with Georgia,” he said following the Portugal game according to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Kvaratskhelia joined Napoli from Dinamo Batumi back in 2022, signing a contract until 2027. It is believed that the superstar forward is unhappy with the terms of his current deal and is seeking better offers elsewhere.
Whether Liverpool formalise their interest in him remains to be seen.