Liverpool will compete for Napoli left winger Kvica Kvaratskelia if he leaves Napoli this month, according to leading transfer source David Ornstein.
It has been claimed that Liverpool will be opportunistic rather than proactive in the January transfer window, keeping an eye on all potential markets.
It could come in the form of Napoli and Georgia left winger Kvaratskhelia, who is attracting interest from other clubs including Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea this month.
Ornstein, writing for The Athletic, described Liverpool as “paying attention to the situation” and “a deal they are willing to compete for if the opportunity arises in the market.”
Kvaratskelia, 23, is under contract with Napoli until 2027 but appears likely to leave this month if no progress is made regarding a new contract.
PSG are described as “main contenders”, but it’s certainly interesting that Ornstein reports that Liverpool are willing to join the race.
Chiesa wanted by Napoli
This reporter has a top notch reputation in transfer reporting and his comments about Liverpool’s interest in Kvaratskelia certainly carry weight.
Interestingly, he added that with Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz already the first options on the left wing and Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota also capable of playing there, “a significant departure may be needed to create space”.
However, an opportunity could arise with Sky Italia reporting that Napoli would be interested in Federico Chiesa if they lose Kvaratskelia this month.
Despite claims from his agent that Chiesa has no intention of moving away from Anfield this month, there have been repeated claims in Italy that an early £12.5m summer move is a possibility.
Kvaratskelia has also played on the right wing and in the center during his club career, also featuring for Dinamo Tbilisi, FC Rustavi, Lokomotiv Moscow, Rubin Kazan and Dinamo Batumi, but he is a natural player on the left.
So far this season, he has scored 5 goals and provided 3 assists in 19 appearances for Napoli, while in 107 appearances in Serie A he has scored 30 goals and provided 29 assists.
He is a leading attacking force for his country and scored a memorable goal in Georgia’s shock 2-0 win over Portugal at Euro 2024.
But Kvaratskhelia recently lost out on the Georgian Footballer of the Year award to goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who is set to move from Valencia to Liverpool in the summer.
