Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has asked to leave Serie A leaders Napoli immediately, says manager Antonio Conte.
The 23-year-old winger – who has been linked with Paris-St Germain, Liverpool and Chelsea, external – was a key part of the Napoli side which won Italy’s top flight in 2022-23.
“Kvaratskhelia has asked to leave the club,” Conte was quoted on BBC Sport.
“I spoke to Khvicha and he confirmed his plan to leave the club immediately.
“There was a contract that was supposed to be renewed. Obviously I didn’t do enough to convince both parties to carry on together. I’ll take a step back because I can’t keep chained up a player who doesn’t want to stay.”
Kvaratskhelia – who was part of the Georgia side that reached the last 16 at Euro 2024 – was dubbed ‘Kvaradona’ by supporters during Napoli’s title-winning campaign, after the club’s iconic player Diego Maradona.
He arrived as a 21-year-old for £9m from Georgian club Dinamo Batumi and has been integral since, chalking up a combined 54 goals and assists in 107 appearances.
Kvaratskhelia has scored five times and assisted three goals in Serie A for Napoli this season.
After an underwhelming 2023-24 season in which they finished 10th, Napoli currently top Serie A with 44 points from 19 games
