Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly received encouragement to retain an interest in Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
There were plenty of unknowns when the playmaker made the switch to Serie A during the summer of 2022 with his most notable experience having come in Russia.
However, the Georgia international has already etched himself into Napoli's history having helped them win the Serie A title in his first campaign at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
A total of 30 goals and 28 assists have been contributed in 102 appearances for a club that have recently moved back to the top of the Serie A table under Antonio Conte.
Nevertheless, I Partenopei have only been left with a tougher fight on their hands to retain the services of the 23-year-old in the long term.
![Georgia's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia celebrates scoring their first goal on June 26, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/26/khvicha-kvaratskhelia_3.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Georgia's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia celebrates scoring their first goal on June 26, 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
What is Kvaratskhelia's stance over future?
With a contract in place until 2027, Napoli can afford to play hardball with regards to any formal offers for Kvaratskhelia's signature.
That said, lessons will need to be learned over how the situation involving Victor Osimhen has been handled, with their former leading marksman now on loan at Galatasaray having failed to generate the level of offers that Napoli had anticipated.
According to Sky Italia, Napoli's hierarchy have been attempting to negotiate a new contract for the playmaker with his representatives.
Rather than a quick resolution looking realistic, it is claimed that Kvaratskhelia is in no rush to accept Napoli's current offer.
Napoli have reportedly put forward terms of €6m (£5.02m) per season. Meanwhile, the player and his agents are of the opinion that a deal should be worth €8m (£6.7m).
© Imago
Will Barcelona, PSG look to capitalise?
Each of the aforementioned European giants have been heavily linked with Kvaratskhelia in the past and could plausibly now look to propose an offer.
As it stands, Napoli are currently protected by a release clause said to be in the region of £83m, although that will become more unrealistic to generate the longer that no new contract is signed.
Most recently, it was alleged that Barcelona may be willing to pay £67m for Kvaratskhelia, a figure that may be turned down yet could be viewed as acceptable at a later date.
Whether Barcelona could pay that fee now remains to be seen, their financial issues remaining ongoing, but PSG could have the leeway on that front to steal a march on the La Liga leaders.
Darren Plant
