Transfer Centre

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia 'on verge of signing new Napoli contract'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 30 March 2023

Napoli attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is on the radar of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, is reportedly close to agreeing a new contract with the Partenopei.

In-demand Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is reportedly on the verge of signing a new-and-improved contract with the Serie A champions-elect.

The 22-year-old has led the Partenopei's title charge from the front during an extraordinary introduction to life in one of Europe's top five leagues this season.

Kvaratskhelia has posted 12 goals and as many assists from 23 top-flight games for Napoli, who hold a mammoth 19-point lead at the top of the table.

In addition, the Georgia international has scored twice and set up four more in seven Champions League appearances, as Napoli prepare to tackle AC Milan in the quarter-finals.

Kvaratskhelia's exploits have inevitably led to interest from elsewhere, with all of Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Newcastle United understood to be keeping tabs on his performances.

Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia celebrates scoring their first goal with Victor Osimhen on February 17, 2023 © Reuters

However, Napoli are under little pressure to sell with the attacker's contract due to expire in 2027, and they could soon tie the much-coveted Kvaratskhelia down for even longer.

According to Foot Mercato, the two parties are on the brink of agreeing a new contract for an additional year until 2028, and he will enjoy a substantial pay rise.

At the moment, the former Rubin Kazan winger is only earning €1m (£880,946) per year in Naples, but his salary will skyrocket to €2.5m (£2.2m) per annum.

Performance-related bonuses could take Kvaratskhelia's yearly wage up to €4m (£3.5m), and the attacker has given the green light to an extension, having settled to life in Italy quickly.

Nevertheless, the report adds that Napoli would entertain offers for the Georgian from 2024 onwards, but a fee of at least €100m (£88.1m) will be required to prise him away from Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Napoli's Victor Osimhen applauds fans after the match on March 3, 2023 © Reuters

It has been claimed that PSG are willing to spend as much as £160m to bring Kvaratskhelia to the Parc des Princes, although one of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe or Neymar would have to depart first.

Given Napoli's sensational run under Luciano Spalletti this season, Kvaratskhelia is one of several players being tracked by Europe's top clubs, along with striker Victor Osimhen and centre-back Kim Min-jae.

Manchester United and Chelsea are expected to go head-to-head for Osimhen's signature this summer, but Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has supposedly slapped a €150m (£132.1m) price tag on the head of the Nigerian.

Meanwhile, Kim is thought to be on the radar of both Man United and Tottenham Hotspur, but he recently hit out at "nonsense" rumours regarding a move away from Naples.

However, Napoli are apparently open to parting ways with the South Korea centre-back, but De Laurentiis will not sanction Osimhen's exit so easily.