Yahoo News Liverpool 'tracking' £102m Mohamed Salah replacement ahead of Arne Slot arrival
Liverpool are once again being linked with a move for Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Georgia international has been one of the stars of Serie A ever since he joined Napoli in 2022. He helped the Italian club win its first league title in 30 years last season and is one of the most prized assets at Napoli alongside striker Victor Osimhen.
Ever since his impressive season for Napoli, there have been rumours that Kvaratskhelia could leave the club in favour of a move to either the Premier League or other big clubs across Europe. Liverpool are one club who have previously been tentatively linked with the winger, and now those rumours have resurfaced.
Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Bacho Tsalugelashvili has provided an update on Kvaratskhelia's future at Napoli, amid speculation around talks with the player's agent and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis. Tsalugelashvili has claimed that Liverpool are one club who are interested in signing Kvaratskhelia when the transfer window reopens this summer.
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"Is Kvaratskhelia’s agent talking to De Laurentiis? I believe the agent will meet the president next week," Tsalugelashvili told 1 Station Radio’s 1 Football Night, via Area Napoli.
"However, either the contract renewal will materialise or Kvara [Kvaratskhelia] will go to a top club. I don’t know if it is Barcelona or another team.
"Could it be a Premier League club? I don’t know. Liverpool are also interested in Kvaratskhelia, although Barcelona’s interest is more concrete. There are management sources who confirm the Blaugrana’s desire."
Tsalugelashvili added: "What could be the amount for which De Laurentiis would deprive himself of Kvaratskhelia? I can’t say precisely, but I understand a valuation between €100 million (£85million) and €120m (£102million)."
Reports linking Kvaratskhelia with Liverpool come at a time when Mohamed Salah's future is uncertain. Reports in recent days have speculated whether or not the Egyptian will remain at Anfield beyond this summer, with his current deal set to expire in 2025.
It has even been suggested in the past that Kvaratskhelia could be a replacement for Salah in the event that the forward leaves Liverpool. The Reds insist that they are planning for Salah to be a part of their squad next season as the post-Jurgen Klopp era begins with Arne Slot set to be the club's new manager.
