Conte reveals Kvaratskhelia transfer request as PSG talks continue

Kvaratskhelia has been a revelation since arriving from Dinamo Batumi in 2022, helping Napoli win their first Scudetto since the Diego Maradona era in his first season in Italy.

The winger scored 12 goals and laid on 10 assists as the Partenopei ran away with the Serie A title in 2022-23, though a miserable 2023-24 campaign saw them go through three head coaches and finish 10th in the Italian top flight.

Kvaratskhelia has provided eight goal involvements in Serie A this term (five goals, three assists), though, with Napoli back in title contention under Conte.

Only six players in the division have bettered his 28 chances created, while he has attempted the fourth-most dribbles in the competition (67).

However, the 23-year-old has continued to be linked with a big-money move and reports on Saturday suggested he had agreed personal terms with Ligue 1 champions PSG.

Having left Kvaratskhelia out of Napoli's squad for Sunday's clash with Verona, Conte was asked about the wideman's future at Saturday's pre-match press conference.

"I will answer, I have never shied away from uncomfortable questions. If I speak, it is because I tell the truth, otherwise I prefer to remain silent. I don't like to tell lies," he said.

"We are talking about an important player. This summer, I demanded that some players be confirmed and among them was Khvicha.

"He had asked to be sold and he was not the only one. Then we moved on, but you forget things too easily.

"Six months ago, I had to convince the players I considered fundamental for this project to stay, but many wanted to take other paths."

Conte was not upbeat regarding Napoli's chances of replacing the Georgian, saying: "Honestly, I haven't seen profiles that can replace him.

"It's too fresh, a bolt from the blue. Today I am very focused on Verona.

"Today, the most important thing is not buying or selling, neither outgoings nor incomings, but tomorrow's match. It's three points.

"No evaluations have been made because Kvara is now a Napoli player. Then tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or on January 31, we will see.

"It is inevitable that the situation will be monitored. It is right to leave it to the club, the player and his entourage. I did what I had to do. In fact, maybe I did too much."