Liverpool reportedly explored the possibility of signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before Paris Saint-Germain secured the Georgian winger’s signature from Napoli in January 2025. According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Premier League club was genuinely interested, but the player ultimately chose to continue his career in the French capital.
The transfer became one of the major stories of the January window, bringing an end to Kvaratskhelia’s successful spell in Italian football. PSG moved decisively to negotiate with Napoli, while the financial terms offered to the player reportedly helped the French champions gain an advantage over their Premier League rivals.
For Liverpool, the missed opportunity raised questions about whether the club could have added another creative attacking option to its squad. For PSG, the deal represented an important step in strengthening an attack built around pace, technical ability and individual creativity.
The move also attracted attention from football supporters in Cambodia, where Liverpool and PSG have substantial international followings. The story illustrates how transfer decisions can depend on more than a club’s reputation or position in its domestic league.
Fabrizio Romano Explains Liverpool’s Interest in Kvaratskhelia
Romano reported that Liverpool had made a serious attempt to pursue Kvaratskhelia, although the Reds did not ultimately complete the deal.
“Liverpool tried, but it was not possible to proceed,” Romano explained when discussing the transfer situation.
The journalist also indicated that Liverpool were not alone in monitoring the winger. Other Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, were interested in the possibility of signing him.
Liverpool’s interest was understandable. Kvaratskhelia had established himself as one of Napoli’s most dangerous attacking players, combining close control, acceleration and an ability to create chances in one-on-one situations.
His performances in Italy had attracted attention across Europe, particularly after he helped Napoli win the Serie A title in the 2022–23 season.
However, interest from a major English club did not guarantee a transfer. Napoli had to agree to the sale, the player needed to settle on his next destination, and the financial conditions had to satisfy all parties.
Why Paris Saint-Germain Won the Transfer Race
1. PSG reportedly offered a much higher salary
One of the main explanations for PSG’s success was the reported financial package offered to Kvaratskhelia.
According to transfer reports citing Romano, PSG were prepared to offer the Georgian winger a salary several times higher than his existing earnings at Napoli. Some reports described the proposed increase as approximately four times his previous salary.
That financial difference was significant. A player considering a major career move must weigh sporting ambitions alongside salary, contract length, responsibilities and long-term prospects.
Liverpool may have admired Kvaratskhelia’s ability, but admiration alone could not guarantee an agreement on personal terms.
It is important to distinguish reported figures from officially confirmed contract details. The precise salary arrangements were not publicly disclosed in the announcement of the transfer.
2. PSG moved forward with direct negotiations
PSG also made progress through direct negotiations with Napoli while Kvaratskhelia’s future was being decided.
Reports during January 2025 indicated that the French club was discussing a package worth approximately €70 million to €80 million, depending on the stage of negotiations and the inclusion of additional payments.
Napoli eventually agreed to the transfer, with contemporary reporting placing the completed deal at approximately €70 million plus add-ons.
The decisive factor was not simply PSG’s willingness to pay. The French club also needed to reach an agreement with Napoli and secure the player’s commitment.
3. Kvaratskhelia chose PSG
Romano’s account emphasised that Kvaratskhelia decided to join PSG rather than move to Liverpool.
The winger had already established himself in Serie A and was ready for a new challenge. PSG offered an opportunity to compete in Ligue 1 and continue pursuing major European honours with a club that had made strengthening its attacking options a priority.
Liverpool’s interest therefore became part of the wider transfer story rather than a completed negotiation.
What Kvaratskhelia Brought to PSG
Kvaratskhelia’s arrival gave PSG another attacker capable of changing a match through individual skill and intelligent movement.
The Georgian international is particularly effective when operating from the left wing, where he can take on defenders, cut inside and create shooting opportunities with either foot. He can also contribute to combinations around the penalty area and draw defenders away from teammates.
His playing style makes him valuable against opponents who defend deep. Rather than relying exclusively on passing combinations, he can attempt to beat a defender directly and create space for other attackers.
Kvaratskhelia had already demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level during Napoli’s title-winning campaign. PSG therefore signed a player with experience of competing under pressure in both domestic and European football.
For supporters, the transfer represented an opportunity to see how his individual qualities would fit into PSG’s wider attacking system.
Did Liverpool Miss an Important Opportunity?
Liverpool’s failure to sign Kvaratskhelia naturally encouraged debate among supporters, particularly because the winger’s creativity and direct running could have offered another attacking option.
However, a transfer should not be judged solely on whether a player joins a particular club. Recruitment decisions also depend on the manager’s tactical plans, the existing squad, salary structures and the availability of other targets.
Liverpool were competing in multiple competitions during the 2024–25 campaign, and the club had to consider how any major signing would fit into its long-term strategy.
A move for Kvaratskhelia would have offered additional versatility in attack, but it would also have required a substantial financial commitment.
PSG ultimately secured the player, while Liverpool continued with its own recruitment plans. The available reporting does not establish that missing out on Kvaratskhelia alone determined Liverpool’s subsequent results.
Official Transfer: Kvaratskhelia Joins PSG Until 2029
Paris Saint-Germain officially announced Kvaratskhelia’s arrival from Napoli on 17 January 2025. The club confirmed that the Georgian international had signed a contract running until June 2029.
The announcement brought the transfer speculation to an end and confirmed PSG as the winger’s next destination. Contemporary reports put the fee at around €70 million plus additional payments, although the club did not disclose the full financial details in its official announcement.
Kvaratskhelia’s move also marked the end of a significant chapter at Napoli, where he had become a prominent figure following his arrival in 2022.
For PSG, the signing was an investment in an established attacking talent. For Liverpool, it was a transfer opportunity that did not develop into a completed deal.
Conclusion: PSG Won the Race for Kvaratskhelia
Liverpool reportedly tried to sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but PSG ultimately secured his signature in January 2025.
The reported salary offer, direct negotiations with Napoli and the player’s decision to move to Paris were central elements of the transfer story. The deal demonstrated how competition between leading European clubs can turn on a combination of financial terms, sporting ambitions and individual preferences.
Kvaratskhelia’s arrival gave PSG another creative attacking option, while Liverpool had to continue pursuing its own squad-building strategy.
For Cambodian football fans, this remains an interesting example of the competition involved in securing elite players. Follow AA28SPORT for more Liverpool transfer news, PSG updates, European football analysis and the latest stories from the international game.
