Liverpool-Linked Forward Set for Summer Move: Should the Reds Pursue?
As the 2023-24 season comes to a close, Liverpool are expected to make moves in the summer transfer market. Fabrizio Romano has suggested that the Reds will prioritise an attacker and a defender, with a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah likely being top of their priorities.
One of the names that have previously been linked with a move to Anfield is Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is reportedly set to leave the Italian outfit in the summer after a break down in contract talks. The Georgian winger shot to fame during Napoli’s title-winning campaign last season and has been linked with a move to the Premier League ever since.
With that being said, would the 23-year-old be a good signing for the Reds as the speculation surround Mo Salah continues?
Who is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia?
As briefly mentioned above, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a 23-year-old winger, who broke onto the scene during Napoli’s Serie A title triumph in 2023. The Georgian winger scored 12 goals and assisted a further 13 in the league alone last season.
Although Napoli haven’t been anywhere near as impressive this season, Kvaratskhelia has still enjoyed another impressive campaign. This time scoring ten goals and assisting a further eight in 31 Serie A appearances, so far this season.
Kvaratskhelia’s impressive club performances has also allowed him to break onto the international scene. Despite being just 23-years-old, he has already racked up 28 senior appearances for Georgia, scoring 15 goals.
Tactical Fit at Liverpool
On top of his clear natural ability, Kvaratskhelia also possesses an incredible amount of versatility, which could prove crucial as Arne Slot builds his own Liverpool team. Although, mostly being deployed as a left-winger for Napoli, he can also play on the opposite wing or even as a number ten, if needed.
This is mostly due to his incredible ability with both feet and his football intelligence that allows him to effect games from multiple positions. His flexibility, along with his pace, flair and creativity could make a him a brilliant purchase, should Liverpool pursue a move.
Stepping up to the Premier League?
Despite his incredible numbers in Serie A, its yet to be seen whether the young winger could make that step up to one of Europe’s elite clubs. With just two goals and five assists in 17 Champions League appearances for Napoli, the drop off in numbers against stronger opposition is quite noticeable.
We’ve seen the likes of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo all struggle to translate their prolific numbers in a Liverpool shirt already, albeit coming from an ‘easier’ league than Serie A.
Financial Implications
Despite Kvaratskhelia’s bold contract decision, a move for the winger in the upcoming summer transfer window would still be pricy. Transfermarkt currently value him at around £80million, which could cause implications in any sort of interest from Liverpool. That sort of price tag suggests to me that the Reds would only make a move for Kvaratskhelia should they decide to sell either Darwin Nunez or Mohamed Salah for huge money.
There’s also the case of Michael Edwards spending such money on one player, which is rare based off his previous work at Anfield. However, he has occasionally made such moves when necessary, spending £75million on Virgil Van Dijk and £60million on Alisson Becker.
Ultimately, it seems to me like this could only be a potential move should Liverpool receive a huge offer for Mo Salah. However, it currently seems like the Egyptian King could be set to remain at Anfield.
