Liverpool boss Arne Slot delivers truth about Khvicha Kvaratskhelia transfer

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has appeared to rule out a January move for Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Georgia international has impressed in Serie A this season and starred for his country at Euro 2024.

He has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs this month, with Manchester United and Chelsea also said to be chasing his signature.

But Liverpool won’t be pursuing a transfer, according to their manager, despite the fact they were said to be ready to pounce.

“When you said they are linked with clubs, we are all linked,” the Dutchman explained in his press conference ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup third round clash with Accrington Stanley.

“Kvaratskhelia - it is January. And I said after West Ham, ‘Don't disappoint me with links.’ That is what is happening now.

“Ninety-nine times out of 100 at the end of the window, almost all of these stories are untrue. So what can I comment about? The rumours keep going but [there are] no comments from my side.”

Kvaratskhelia, 23, has netted five goals and three assists in Serie A this season, with his team storming to the top of the table.

During his previous two campaigns in Italy, the pacy forward racked up 23 goals and 21 assists in 68 league outings and also impressed in the Champions League.

He is contracted to Napoli until the summer of 2027, but could head through the exit at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium if his current employers decide to cash in on him.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Napoli are requesting a £67million package to sanction Kvaratskhelia’s departure.

And Paris Saint-Germain are said to be leading the transfer race as they have engaged in talks with the Italian club with the promise of handing the player four times his current salary.

Meanwhile, Slot also provided an update on Federico Chiesa, who moved to Anfield from Juventus in the summer.

The 27-year-old has struggled with injury and illness issues during his time in England and has only played 123 minutes of football for the Reds.

“Every game is a chance for everyone to play,” Slot added. “It's not only for him been difficult because all the things you said - match fitness, he has to compete with [Cody] Gakpo, [Luis] Diaz, [Diogo] Jota, [Darwin] Nunez, [Mohamed] Salah.

“Everyone knows the numbers Salah brings - not many reasons to bring him out and also he is so fit. And he does everything so well to keep fit and he shows up.

“So it is not always about Federico with his limited playing time, but he definitely has to deal with the way he came in. The rest were already training a lot and we had to bring him in to get match fitness. Let's see how much he can help us because second half [of the season] is more important than the first.”