Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is set to leave Naples in the coming hours to join the team coached by Spaniard Luis Enrique.
The Georgian attacking midfielder, a key figure for the Partenopei, is heading to Paris to finalize his transfer to PSG. A few days ago, Kvaratskhelia bid farewell to Naples during a stroll through the city center, making a significant stop at the famous wall dedicated to Argentine legend Diego Armando Maradona.
Although Kvaratskhelia’s departure was somewhat unexpected for coach Antonio Conte and the passionate Neapolitan fans, the player had recently expressed his wish to leave the club during this winter transfer window. PSG, who showed interest last summer, seized the opportunity.
Although an official announcement is still pending, a video posted to social media on Wednesday confirmed the worst-kept secret. In the footage, ‘Kvara’, affectionately nicknamed ‘Kvaradona’ by Napoli fans, is seen bidding farewell and paying respects at the wall of revered Diego Maradona in the Quartieri Spagnoli. This mural has become a sort of sanctuary over the years.
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Despite visiting the iconic site four days ago, the video was only released on Wednesday. The striker had made a discreet visit to the mural to avoid attracting the attention of fans.
For Conte, as well as for all Neapolitan supporters, Kvaratskhelia’s decision to leave is a bitter pill to swallow, especially since he was the most important player in the squad. This is particularly poignant after a forgettable season last year, as Napoli returned to the pinnacle of Italian football.
“He’s a fantastic boy. I’m disappointed because maybe I’ve been a bit presumptuous in the last six months thinking that I could change his mind and convince him to stay,” Conte told DAZN after the match against Hellas Verona.
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“It’s a shame because he’s a very important player,” he added.
According to local media, the transfer is expected to be around 75 million euros, including bonuses.
With the departure of Kvaratskhelia, the club says goodbye to its fourth hero of the ‘Scudetto’ victory. The first was Polish midfielder Piotr Zielinski, who now plays for Inter Milan, followed by South Korean Kim Min-Jae, who joined Bayern Munich; then, Nigerian Victor Osimhen was loaned to Galatasaray after a conflict with the Italian club; and now it’s Kvara’s turn.
The attacking midfielder will leave the club after two and a half seasons, leaving an indelible mark on his first campaign which ended with the ‘Scudetto’. He played a total of 104 matches, scoring 30 goals and providing 24 assists.
