Liverpool eyeing Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah
Serie A giants Napoli are hoping to renew the contract of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia amid serious interest from Premier League side Liverpool this summer. The Italian outfit are in the process of negotiating a contract extension for the Georgian winger.
His current contract with Gli Azzurri runs until 2027, so it seems that the focus of the negotiations is primarily on a salary increase rather than an extension. The young winger has an assist to his name in the initial two league games for his club in this new season.
Kvaratskhelia had an exceptional debut season at Napoli last year, where he scored 14 goals and provided 18 assists in 45 appearances across various competitions. Due to his impressive performance, the fans gave him the nickname ‘Kvaradona.’
The 22-year-old played a pivotal role in helping the Italian club win the Serie A last season, and this has swiftly elevated him as one of the standout players in Europe. He garnered interest from clubs due to his remarkable skills in dribbling, quick turns of pace, and his ability to outsmart the defenders with surprising runs down the flanks.
Napoli are currently considering offering an upgraded contract to their top-performing player, even though they recently acquired the winger from Dinamo Batumi in the last transfer window. This is due to the fact that their prized asset is attracting serious interest from Liverpool, who are also searching the market for a quality winger.
Journalist Luca Marchetti while speaking to Sky Italia (as quoted by Sport Napoli), said:
“Kvara has a significant salary, but after what he has shown, his salary does not fully reflect his value. Can Napoli offer 2.5 million net? It is the figure from which to start negotiations.”
“If Liverpool arrive and it’s been talked about recently, why sell Momo Salah, what would you do? Salah, at Liverpool, certainly doesn’t earn 3 million… We need to protect Kvara and show him due recognition.”
The Reds’ fans will be happy to see the Saudi Arabian transfer window shut down last week, as Al-Ittihad were making serious moves to sign their top player, Mohamed Salah.
Such was their interest that they even saw a £200 million bid rejected by the Merseyside club this summer. As things stand, it is understood that the Saudi Pro League side has not yet given up hopes of landing the Egyptian honcho, and they will be going all out for his signature in 2024.
Hence, it seems logical to look for a replacement, and Kvaratskhelia has been eyed as a perfect replacement for Salah.
The veteran attacker’s statistics are truly remarkable, and only the absolute elite in world football can match or surpass his goal-scoring and assist-making prowess. However, it’s important to note that even the former AS Roma star needed time to develop into the world-class player he is today, and there’s potential for Kvaratskhelia to follow a similar path.
When Salah was 22, he had just secured a move to Chelsea but faced challenges in earning playing time, scoring only twice in 19 appearances. In contrast, the Napoli star, at the same age, is already a nominee for the Ballon d’Or.
The Georgian star’s development is likely to continue positively, especially as Napoli remains competitive in European competitions and title races. It’s worth noting that their positions on the field are different, with Kvaratskhelia playing on the left wing and the Liverpool ace on the opposite side.
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One area where the youngster could improve his game is maintaining focus and consistency in front of the goal. Currently, he excels more as a creator and winger who consistently takes on defenders, unlike Salah, who has evolved into a ruthless attacker constantly posing a goal threat.
Kvaratskhelia is currently earning approximately £1.2m a season plus bonuses, and this could work in Liverpool’s favour if Napoli doesn’t offer him a higher salary before the new year. The outcome remains uncertain, and the possibility of a January transfer likely depends on Salah’s status at Liverpool.
