Kvaratskhelia in ‘contract stalemate’: Premier League clubs on red alert

Contract talks between Napoli and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have reached an impasse, according to Italian media.

The Georgian remains Napoli’s key attacker and has lost none of his importance under new coach Antonio Conte. With five goals in 13 games, Kvaratskhelia is the Serie A leaders’ best goalscorer so far this term.

Unsurprisingly, then, Napoli are determined to tie the 23-year-old to the club long-term, which is a matter of special import because his original deal still dates back to when he first arrived at the club.

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Kvaratskhelia, now one of Serie A’s best attackers, is only on a measly €1.3 million per season and both player and club are keen to improve his salary.

It is a less urgent matter for the club because the winger is still under contract until 2027, but there is nevertheless a sense that it is better to get it over with sooner rather than later.

Kvaratskhelia talks stall

The problem is that talks have now reached a ‘stalemate,’ according to Calciomercato. This is because Napoli are offering an annual wage of €5m, while the player’s camp is asking for €8m.

Despite many meetings, common ground has not yet been found and the Italian outlet claims that the next round of negotiations could already prove decisive.

A transfer is not yet a topic of discussion, but if no agreement can be reached, ‘everything will change at the end of the season.’ Club president Aurelio di Laurentiis has already made it abundantly clear that selling the Georgian won’t be the end of the world.

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“The players who are with us will stay in Naples as long as we want them to. What if Kvara does not renew and then leaves? We will get over it,” he said in October.

Still, De Laurentiis wouldn’t settle for peanuts. The report claims that it would require a ‘monstrous offer’ to get Napoli to entertain a sale next year.

Nevertheless, Premier League clubs will certainly be attentive to the situation. Arsenal are not yet convinced by Raheem Sterling and Chelsea, with Mykhailo Mudryk and Jadon Sancho, are not particularly well-stocked on the left. Could they make a move?