After postponing the sales of Georgian forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen last summer, Napoli, an Italian Serie A team, would lose €70 million because the players’ values have drastically decreased.
Antonio Conte, the coach of Napoli, told DAZN that both players had stated their intention to leave the team during the summer transfer window of 2024, when Paris Saint-Germain was prepared to pay €200 million for them.
“I spoke about disappointment not towards the player, not towards the club, but towards myself, because in six months I failed to change the situation,” Conte said.
“Maybe I was a little presumptuous because I thought I could have a stronger impact. I couldn’t do it. It’s a pity because this is a great player, but we also have to accept reality.”
The situation represents a dramatic turnaround from May 2023, when Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis boldly declared, “Kvara and Osimhen are not leaving,” after the duo led the club to their first Serie A title in 33 years.
Osimhen, who scored 26 league goals in their title-winning campaign, made his intentions clear during pre-season by refusing to participate in friendlies before eventually joining Turkish side Galatasaray on loan.
The Nigeria international has thrived in Turkey, netting 13 goals and providing five assists in 16 appearances, but his market value has plummeted from €120m to €75m.
Meanwhile, Kvaratskhelia, who arrived at Napoli for just €12m in 2022, is now valued at €55m by PSG – a significant reduction from his previous worth, despite currently earning only €1.5m per season.
The Georgian’s situation mirrors Osimhen’s summer saga, where a proposed move to Chelsea collapsed on deadline day, leading to his temporary switch to Turkey.
“He asked the club to be sold, without mincing his words,” Conte revealed about Kvaratskhelia.
“This is what was said to me, the player has confirmed his decision to me. Personally, I feel very disappointed because I spent six months trying to make Kvara feel at the centre of the project.”
Napoli’s struggles extend beyond the transfer market, with the club finishing 10th in Serie A after going through three managers last season, missing out on European qualification for the first time in over a decade.
The potential €70m loss further complicates their rebuild plans, with the club already struggling to adequately replace Osimhen despite signing Romelu Lukaku and Scott McTominay.
PSG’s reported offer of €70m for Kvaratskhelia, which could include players like Milan Skriniar or Marco Asensio in exchange, has been dismissed by Napoli, who appear determined to avoid another prolonged transfer saga similar to Osimhen’s departure.
