Conte Confirms Kvaratskhelia's Transfer Request

In a surprising turn of events, Napoli's head coach Antonio Conte has confirmed that star forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has formally requested to be sold. This announcement comes as the football world buzzes with rumors surrounding potential transfer talks with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which reportedly could facilitate a January move for the Georgian international.

In a press conference held before Napoli’s Serie A clash with Hellas Verona, Conte expressed his disappointment over Kvaratskhelia’s decision. "It’s a great disappointment," he stated. According to various reports, negotiations between Kvaratskhelia's representatives and PSG are ongoing, with reports suggesting the clubs are discussing a transfer fee around €70 million.

PSG has allegedly proposed a deal that would include either Milan Skriniar or Marco Asensio in a cash-plus-player agreement. However, Napoli's hierarchy seems primarily focused on securing the transfer fee outright, rather than involving current PSG players in the deal.

Kvaratskhelia's future with the club has been a hot topic. Conte revealed, "We are talking about an important player who was already due to leave in the summer. I wanted to ensure we had the necessary quality, but it appears that many players, including Kvaratskhelia, have expressed a desire for new challenges."

In a poignant reflection on Kvaratskhelia's situation, Conte shared, "He asked the club to be sold, without mincing his words. This was communicated to me directly by the player himself." The coach added that he invested significant effort into making Kvaratskhelia feel integral to the squad and was attempting to secure his long-term commitment through contract discussions over the past six months.

Now, as he prepares for the impending match against Hellas Verona, Conte is faced with a bittersweet reality. “It’s tough to retain individuals who desire to pursue other paths. I have spent months trying to convince these players that great things were possible here, but it seems like that wasn’t enough,” he lamented.

While acknowledging Kvaratskhelia's potential departure would be a blow to the team, Conte emphasized that his focus must remain on the upcoming game, stating, "We will lose an important player, but for now, I must concentrate on the match against Verona."

As the saga unfolds, Napoli fans and football aficionados alike will be watching closely to see how the situation resolves and what it means for both Kvaratskhelia's future and the trajectory of Napoli this season. Will Kvaratskhelia head to PSG, or is there still a glimmer of hope for him to remain with the Partenopei? Stay tuned!