How Napoli plan to replace Kvaratskhelia: Chiesa, Zhegrova and Ziyech options | OneFootball

Napoli are beginning to prepare for life after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after Antonio Conte revealed that the Georgian has submitted a transfer request, and the Partenopei already have three options in mind to replace him according to Sunday’s reports.

During his pre-match press conference on Saturday, Conte confirmed that Kvaratskhelia has asked to be sold, and  that he will not be called up for Sunday’s game against Hellas Verona as a result.

Napoli are understood to be in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a possible January sale for somewhere in the region of €70m-€80m.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia celebrates Napoli-Monza (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

How Napoli plan to replace Kvaratskhelia

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli have already begun to look at three options who could potentially come in as early as January.

One of them is former Juventus and Fiorentina forward Federico Chiesa, who is still not fully in the first team picture following his summer transfer to Liverpool.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool celebrates scoring his sides 4th goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Accrington Stanley at Anfield on January 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

The Italy international was on the scoresheet as Arne Slot’s side breezed past Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup on Saturday, but he has not yet earned consistent minutes in the league or Champions League thus far.

With Kvaratskhelia on his way out, Napoli could potentially offer the 27-year-old the consistent run in the first team that he currently needs.

Another option mentioned by La Gazzetta dello Sport is former Chelsea and Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech.

The Morocco international is out of contract in the summer and is reportedly unsettled in Istanbul.

Napoli have been in constant contact with Galatasaray over the course of the 2024-25 season given the loan deal for Victor Osimhen, so the two clubs could potentially open a dialogue surrounding Ziyech as well.

Ziyech is also familiar with Napol’s summer signing David Neres, who is expected to start in Kvaratskhelia’s absence on Sunday.

A third option for Napoli could be Edon Zhegrova of Lille, who had also been linked with a potential move to Juventus following his impressive performance against the Bianconeri in the Champions League earlier in the season.

La Gazzetta dello Sport note that Lille are unlikely to sanction a sale of Zhegrova in January, but the two clubs could start negotiating in the summer for a fee in the region of €30m.

Edon Zhegrova of Lille in action during the UEFA Champions League league phase match between Lille OSC and Juventus FC, in Lille, France, 05 November 2024. EPA-EFE/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON