Markus Babbel reckons Napoli ace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia would be a fantastic signing for Liverpool
Former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel feels the Reds might have to break the bank to land Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this summer.
Jurgen Klopp’s time at Liverpool came to an end last season, with the Merseyside giants winning the Carabao Cup and finishing third in the Premier League. The German has been replaced by Arne Slot at the helm, as the club enters a period of transition.
Arne Slot is planning to strengthen various areas of his squad ahead of his debut season in English football. A winger appears to be on his priority list after Liverpool have shown an interest in signing Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon. The Reds do have quality wingers in the squad, but with speculation surrounding the futures of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz rife in recent weeks and months, the Dutch tactician is eyeing a new wide-man.
Napoli ace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is now a household name who has been linked with a move to Liverpool. The tricky winger recently caught the eye during Georgia’s campaign at the 2024 European Championships, helping his nation to a place in the Round of 16 before they were knocked out by Spain.
Owing to the 23-year-old’s links with Liverpool, Markus Babbel thinks Kvaratskhelia would be a brilliant addition to his former side but reckons the Merseyside club may have to spend an eye-watering £150 million to sign the Napoli winger.
“Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a top and talented player and if he had the chance to come to Liverpool it would be fantastic, especially because of the way Liverpool like to play,” Babbel commented on bet365’s Euro 2024 coverage (h/t The Liverpool ECHO).
“I think it would be brilliant for him. He’s a clever player, he wants to have the ball. He can hit teams on the transition and I think this is the style of play that Liverpool want to do.
“He would be fantastic in the Premier League because he is only 23, but I don’t think that Napoli’s president will make things easy. If he is to leave it might cost £150 million, even for PSG and Liverpool this could be too much.”
Kvaratskhelia has been a sensation for Napoli since joining in July 2022. The Georgia international dazzled in the Champions League during Napoli’s title-winning 2021/22 season under Luciano Spalletti. Although he blew hot and cold in a disappointing past campaign for the Naples-based outfit, he still managed 11 goals and eight assists in 34 Serie A appearances.
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The nippy attacker starred for Georgia in the 2024 Euro, and after two seasons in Italy, Kvaratskhelia is keen on moving to the Premier League amid links with Liverpool. The Reds remain interested in one of the best talents of Serie A but it would be difficult to lure him to Anfield, especially given he has a contract at Napoli until 2027 (Transfermarkt).
Babbel is absolutely spot on with his views on Kvaratskhelia. There is no doubting Kvaratskhelia’s talent and potential, as evidenced by his displays for Napoli and Georgia, but it doesn’t make sense for our club to break the bank on just one player when we are entering a period of transition under Arne Slot.
