Liverpool have been warned over how much they will have to pay for Napoli wonderkid Khvicha Kvaratskhelia next year after the youngster lit up Anfield on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old has hit the headlines in Italy this season after quickly developing from an unknown into one of the most talked about players across Europe following his sublime start since moving to the Serie A club in the summer.
Kvaratskhelia has eight goals and 10 assists already this season and although he didn’t add to that record against the Reds in midweek, he wowed Jurgen Klopp nonetheless, and one of the player’s agents has now sent a warning to any interested parties.
Christian Emile, who was speaking on transfer expert Fabrizo Romano’s YouTube channel, has warned Liverpool that there is no chance of Napoli selling Kvaratskhelia in January and that the winger is likely to cost around €100million (£87m) when he is eventually sold.
He said: “You know what’s crazy, he’s done what he’s been doing in Russia and Europe for the past couple of years. He’s come to Napoli, he’s been unbelievable, and people are talking about over €100m. He’s already been doing it.
“For me, if he continues to perform like this until the end of the season and does it again next season, because I don’t see Napoli selling him now. There’s a 0% chance [in January]. But if he continues as he is doingn ow until the end of the season and replicates the same for next season, he will reach €100m (£86.7m) for sure.”
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Kvaratskhelia only moved back to his homeland of Georgia in March after spending three years in Russia with Rubin Kazan, but after eight goals and two assists in 11 games for Dinamo Batumi, Napoli snapped him up just four months later.
The reported fee of €10-12m (£8.7-10.4m) now seems likely one of the bargains of the century with the Georgian winger helping Napoli top Serie A and their Champions League group ahead of the Reds.
His performance at Anfield on Tuesday impressed almost everyone, especially Klopp. Kvaratskhelia endured an entertaining battle with Trent Alexander-Arnold, and even though the right back defended well, his manager was still left in awe of the Napoli wideman.
Following the 2-0 victory, Klopp said: “He is a good player, both are good players. It was a really difficult one. I know people will talk about one or two situations with Trent when he tried to get in front of him and the ball goes through.
“He is really good, the boy. Really quick, we have to defend it well together in these moments. When he has the advantage of the first moment, then he is already gone.
“You have to try to be there in the moment when the ball arrives. If you cannot to do that, you need to be protected because he has speed. He is cheeky, he can go inside, he goes outside, that always makes him difficult. A good player.”
