Napoli won’t let go of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Credit: Photo by Icon sport

Napoli are preparing to discuss a contract extension for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and are convinced that Barcelona will not sign the Georgian star this summer, reports Gazzetta.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis will soon meet Kvaratskhelia’s agent, Mamuka Jugeli, to discuss a contract extension for the striker. Gazzetta reported on Tuesday that Jugeli had arrived in Naples over the weekend to open talks with the Partenopei owner. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has a contract worth 1.5 million euros a year and has asked for a new salary of 5 million euros a year. Gazzetta thinks it unlikely that Napoli will offer as much, but both parties are ready to continue together. A new report from Gazzetta claims that the player’s agent could use Barcelona’s interest to persuade Napoli to meet his demands, but at the same time, the Serie A club is convinced that the Catalans cannot afford the Georgian star. Napoli are said to value Kvaratskhelia at around €120-130 million, a sum Barcelona cannot afford due to financial difficulties. Even if Napoli included a 100 million euro release clause for the region in Kvaratskhelia’s new contract, Barcelona would not be able to match it. The winger’s current deal at the Stadio Maradona expires in 2027, so Napoli are aware that the player can’t force the club to sell him this summer. Kvaratskhelia, 23, has scored ten goals and nine assists in 42 appearances in all competitions this season.