‘I’ll decide’ – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia reveals transfer plans amid Liverpool links

Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia says Liverpool and any other clubs interested in signing him will have to wait until after the European Championships if they are to complete a deal for his controversial transfer.

The Napoli star has watched some rather bizarre circumstances unfold in Italy, with his club retaliating against his father and his agent following recent comments. His representative, Mamuka Jugeli, told Georgian media earlier this month that he wanted his client to leave his current employers.

“I don’t want people to think that Kvara wants to stay at Napoli,” he said. “We want to leave, but we are waiting for the Euro final so as not to disturb Khvicha. The priority is to join a team that plays in the Champions League.”

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His father, Badri Kvaratskhelia, supported Jugeli’s position, adding: “I don’t want my son to stay at Napoli. They changed three coaches last season and it’s hard to play in a similar situation.”

This prompted Napoli to issue a stern statement, outlining how Kvaratskhelia’s future rests with the club while he is under contract until 2027.

The statement read: “In reference to the statements of Kvaratskhelia’s agent Mamuka Jugeli and his father Badri, Calcio Napoli reiterates that the player has a contract for another three years with the club. Kvaratskhelia is not on the market.

“It is not the agents or parents who decide the future of a player under contract with Napoli, but the club Calcio Napoli!!! (sic) End of story.”

Asked about his feelings about a transfer following Georgia’s opening 3-1 defeat to Turkey at Euro 2024, Kvaratskhelia stressed how he does not think about his club’s future until after the championships, insisting: “I don’t think about what they say , I am 100% focused only on Georgia.”

The 23-year-old – who has 25 goals and 26 assists in 88 games for Napoli – has now reiterated his stance when asked again recently about his transfer plans, with the former boss at Chelsea and Tottenham Antonio Conte is now at the helm at Napoli.

“I respect Conte, he is one of the best managers,” he said, according to The Standard. “I also respect Napoli, I love Napoli. I will decide my future after the Euros. Now I am focused on the match against Spain.”

Georgia face Spain in the Euro Round of 16 on Sunday at 8pm. If his country were eliminated, it would give Liverpool a wider window to make an approach if they wanted to.

It is unclear whether the Reds consider the flank a position to strengthen, with a defensive midfielder considered an area to strengthen. Luis Diaz has been linked with a move to Barcelona despite still having three years left on his Anfield contract.