Liverpool are being tipped to make Napoli’s free-scoring winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia a future big-money signing after the Merseysiders were named as a logical next step in the career of the Georgian winger.
Kvaratskhelia has a growing reputation in the game, after signing for Naples earlier this summer. The 21-year-old was a player of much promise with the likes of Bayern Munich, Leeds United and Tottenham all watching him earlier in his career. However, it was Napoli who ultimately pulled him into the main domain.
Their signing of him was something of a complicated affair. Until March, he was playing for Rubin Kazan, where he was three years into a five-year deal. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine invalidated his contract, allowing Kvaratskhelia to sign for Dinamo Batumi.
And in his brief spell back in his homeland, Kvaratskhelia scored eight times and provided two assists in just 11 games for the club.
That form prompted Napoli to take a gamble on him, paying Batumi just £10.5m for his services.
And the move to Gli Azzurri has allowed Kvaratskhelia to take his game to the next level. Indeed, his performances have lit up the Champions League this season.
The Georgian star proved too hot for Liverpool to handle in their opening match of the group. He also scored an excellent goal in midweek when Napoli put Ajax to the sword 6-1.
That takes his tally to 15 goals and five assists already this season for club and country. Only Erling Haaland, Neymar and Robert Lewandowski boast better goals and assists totals so far this season.
In total, that takes the 21-year-old’s total career goals to 38 for club and country. And with the bulk of those coming this season alone, it’s clear that Kvaratskhelia is clearly a player to watch.
Jamie Carragher has already labelled him as the best player in Serie A.
Liverpool tipped to make approach for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
As such, interest in the player is growing by the week.
Reds sporting director Julian Ward is already well aware of Kvaratskhelia’s talents. And the way he punished their defence last month at the Diego Maradona Stadium will only have served as a timely reminder of his abilities.
The Reds are reportedly keeping a close watch on him as the season progresses.
Now Georgia international defender Lasha Salukvadze reckons a big move to Liverpool could be on the cards, though he has also named Real Madrid as likely suitors for the left winger.
“Can Khvicha move to Real Madrid next season? Ancelotti said that he looked at Kvaratskhelia when he was at Napoli, so anything is possible,” Salukvadze told Metaratings.
“It is possible that both Real Madrid and Liverpool will make offers for Kvicha. But I think it’s too early for him to move. Napoli are a very good team. He needs to play in Naples for a year or two.”
Could Kvaratskhelia shine in England?
The winger certainly has the credentials to move to one of European football’s elite clubs. As such, Napoli will surely face a tough battle to keep him on their hands over the long term.
He is an excepetional dribbler and is also this season adding goals and assists to his game. And it’s easy to see why some huge clubs are starting to sit up and pay attention.
Indeed, Kvaratskhelia could comfortably slot into Premier League life. While quite slight, the winger has enough talent to fool many a full-back.
However, his deal at Napoli does not expire until 2027. He will be in no hurry to depart the Serie A side, who are also currently top of the Serie A standings.
As a result, he will be more than happy and settled where he is right now. And this is promising to be an extremely exciting season for Napoli as they look to end a 33-year wait to win Serie A.
And given they are already the leading scorers in the Champions League with 13 goals – Man City are next best with 11 – the look a serious force to be reckoned with.