Liverpool have two of the best left wingers in world football, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo, but, recently, they’ve been mentioned as a team that could get involved in the Khvicha Kvaratskhelia sweepstakes.
Just two years ago, Kvaradona earned that most hallowed of nicknames after leading Napoli to their first Scudetto since the heyday of Diego Armando Maradona, christening the stadium of the Argentinian’s namesake with beautiful dribbles and stunning curled efforts, proving to be more than just the heir to Lorenzo Insigne.
But after the wistful thinking that Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen could become Napoli legends for years to come, the two look set to leave one of Serie A’s most poorly-run clubs this winter.
Liverpool are reportedly keeping the track open for Kvarastkhelia, and there’s a belief that they could use disappointing summer 2024 acquisition Federico Chiesa as a makeweight for the Napoli superstar.
According to Liverpool beat reporter David Lynch, Liverpool haven’t actually started transfer negotiations with Napoli for Kvaratskhelia, whereas PSG are currently “taking the lead” in discussions.
Kvaratskhelia has Napoli back in the Serie A title race under manager Antonio Conte after the team’s poor 2023/24, and if he wants to leave the Partenopei for a more ambitious club, Liverpool would seem to be the better bet.
After all, the Reds are one of the three most storied Champions League clubs in history alongside AC Milan and Real Madrid, and only Madrid have a better recent track record.
Plus, Liverpool just beat Madrid 2-0 in the Champions League and are first in both the Premier League and UCL. If Kvaratskhelia wants to chase the paper, PSG can throw a ton of money at him, especially since they don’t have Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, or Lionel Messi on the books anymore.
PSG, therefore, have the most desperate need for a superstar on the left wing. But Liverpool are a better sporting project; it’s not even close. Plus, they have someone Napoli may want in order to stick it to political rivals Juventus, Chiesa.
So as of right now, PSG may be the favorites because of their financial power, need on the left wing, and early start on negotiations. But as Lynch himself warns, Liverpool weren’t first to the docket for Diaz in 2022 but eventually swooped to sign the difference-making left winger. Stay tuned.
