Liverpool primed for January move for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as swap deal ‘interest’ Napoli | Football | Sport

Liverpool could be set to bolster their attacking options this month with a move for one of the leading stars of Serie A. Manager Arne Slot has been coy over the prospects of new signing in January, with his side currently six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

However, The Reds are now being linked with Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has been a revelation at the club since joining from Dinamo Batumi in 2022.

In his maiden season, the Georgian international helped his side land a first top-flight title in 33 years, and has gone to make 107 club appearances, scoring 30 goals.

But his future in Italy is suddenly in doubt, with no offer of a new contract forthcoming from Napoli chiefs. Kvaratskhelia’s current deal expires in 2027, and the situation has seemingly alerted a host of European clubs.

And according to the Athletic, Liverpool are tracking the situation. Despite Slot having an array of attacking players at his disposal, the likes of Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez appear out of favour, while Federico Chiesa has barely featured since his summer move from Juventus,

And it’s Chiesa who may hold they key to a move for Kvaratskhelia. Napoli are reportedly interested in bringing the 27-year-old back to Serie A, opening the door for a potential swap deal between the two clubs.

Slot also appears to have another bargaining tool at his disposal. Kvaratskhelia’s international team-mate, keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, has already signed for Liverpool and will head to Anfield next summer having been loaned straight back to Valencia after his transfer was agreed.

The adaptability of the forward makes him an attractive proposition for Liverpool. He has been mostly deployed on the left wing by Napoli, but is also capable of playing on the right or picking up a central role.

The Merseyside club will face competition for his signature though. PSG and Chelsea are also said to be interested, and Napoli are likely to demand a sizeable fee given his age and long-term potential.

This week, Slot did admit that the club were monitoring the players available to buy in January. But he also insisted he was happy with the current depth of his squad and the quality of his players.

“This club has always looked at the market,” he said. “We did this with the goalkeeper (Mamardashvili) that we don’t even have yet. If there is a chance in the market, this club always tries to bring that chance in. The team is in a good place.”