Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia not interested in Real Madrid move

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s representative has rubbished growing speculation about the Napoli winger moving to Real Madrid in the near future.

Despite being known for his ‘childhood dream’ of donning the coveted white jersey, the 22-year-old forward isn’t considering leaving the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Napoli and Madrid will lock horns twice after being drawn in the same Champions League group, and their upcoming on-field duels will provide a backdrop for a new round of transfer rumours.

However, Kvaratskhelia is not enthusiastic about departing Italy despite being courted by several European clubs, including Madrid and Newcastle United.

The Georgian forward hopes to repay the club’s trust, having introduced him to elite football after signing him from Dinamo Batumi last summer instead.

“We don’t consider that,” Kvaratskhelia’s agent Mamuka Jugeli dismissed Madrid links during an interview with Calcio Napoli 24.

“We don’t think about leaving Naples. When one day Kvara is ready to play in Madrid or Barca, we will analyse it.”

Kvaratskhelia enjoyed a fantastic maiden season at Napoli, racking up 14 goals and 17 assists across 43 appearances in all competitions en route to being aptly nicknamed ‘Kvaradona’ by the Naples faithful.

His formidable attacking partnership with Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen laid the groundwork for the Partenopei’s first Serie A title in 33 years under Luciano Spalletti’s stewardship last term.

Aware of a genuine interest in their talismanic winger’s services, Napoli slapped a substantial €100 million price tag on his head as part of their bid to fend off wealthy foreign suitors, particularly Newcastle.

Aurelio De Laurentiis’ plan worked perfectly as the Italians deterred the Magpies from making a concrete proposal for Kvaratskhelia, who is surprisingly among the club’s lowest earners.

The next step is to reward the Georgian for his phenomenal form with an improved new contract, with extension talks between the parties starting over a month ago.

Kvaratskhelia has experienced an injury-plagued start to 2023/24, making Rudi Garcia’s starting line-up for the first time in a 2-1 home defeat to Lazio last weekend.