Last month, Italian journalist Ciro Venerato reported Liverpool are keen on Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Fast forward to the end of April and journalist Bacho Tsalugelashvili states the Reds are in the picture to sign the winger.
Tsalugelashvili, who works for Georgia’s Gazzetta dello Sport, was a guest on 1 Station Radio’s 1 Football Night, where he revealed Liverpool’s interest in the winger, and his comments are relayed by Area Napoli.
The 23-year-old’s deal lasts until 2027 and the journalist claims his agent is expected to meet Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis soon to discuss his client’s future.
“Is Kvaratskhelia’s agent talking to De Laurentiis? I believe the agent will meet the president next week. However, either the contract renewal will materialise or Kvara will go to a top club. I don’t know if it is Barcelona or another team,” he said.
“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.”
The Georgia international left Dinamo Batumi for the Serie A side in 2022 and played a key role in helping Napoli win the title in his debut season.
Kvaratskhelia scored 14 goals and registered 17 assists last season, and has managed 10 goals and nine assists this season, despite the club’s struggles.
With Liverpool named as an interested party, Tsalugelashvili urges the attacker to leave the Naples club in the summer window.
“What’s Kvara’s will? I don’t know. However, I would advise the player to leave a club in crisis like Napoli to join a top club in La Liga or the Premier League,” Tsalugelashvili explained.
Liverpool or any other club that want to take the player away from Napoli should be ready to spend big.
“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 €100m and €120m,” he added.
Liverpool won’t be paying that so unless a better deal is available then this looks unlikely for the Reds.