Liverpool make contact with Serie A giants over potential £90m swoop for Barcelona target: Reports
Liverpool have reportedly contacted Napoli over a potential deal for wantaway Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, whom Barcelona have also been tracking. The exciting 23-year-old attacker's agent and father have made it clear that they don't want him to remain at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
TBR Football (via TEAMTalk) reports that the Reds have been in contact with the Serie A giants about Kvaratskhelia's availability. He was previously on Paris Saint-Germain's radar as they looked for a replacement for Kylian Mbappe.
It's claimed that a bid of around £90 million could prise Kvaratskhelia away from Naples. He has three years left on his contract but is clearly pushing for a departure this summer.
Napoli have no intention of selling him and may dig their heels in over the 29-cap Georgia international. He's been excellent since joining from Georgian outfit Dinamo Batumi two years ago, posting 25 goals and 26 assists in 88 games across competitions.
Barcelona are long-term admirers and seemingly expressed a concrete interest earlier this year. Kvaratskhelia's agent, Mamuka Jugeli, named the La Liga giants as a potential suitor.
Kvaratskhelia's father expressed his concerns with the Italian outfit's stability (via the aforementioned source):
"I do not want my child to stay in Napoli."
Liverpool have become the latest European powerhouse to show interest in the Napoli wideman. He could be viewed as Mohamed Salah's long-term replacement, with question marks over the Egyptian superstar's future.
Barcelona could reportedly turn to Liverpool's Luis Diaz instead of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Barcelona are expected to bolster their attack this summer after a frustrating 2023-24 campaign. Hansi Flick is now in charge at Camp Nou, and the German coach will want to put his own stamp on the team.
Kvaratskhelia was linked with the Blaugrana during Xavi's reign, and links have somewhat subsided since his exit. The Catalans appear to have their eyes on Liverpool winger Luis Diaz.
SPORT reports that Barca have identified Diaz and Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes as their top two targets. They could secure both deals despite their difficult financial circumstances.
Diaz, 27, encountered a topsy-turvy season that saw him bag 13 goals and five assists in 51 games across competitions. The Colombian's end product was questioned as he spurned several golden opportunities in big-pressure games.
The former FC Porto attacker has three years left on his contract at Anfield. He insisted he was happy on Merseyside but Liverpool's interest in Kvaratskhelia brings his future into question.