Former Chelsea manager plots Khvicha Kvaratskhelia transfer block in strong message

Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has pledged that Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will not leave the club this summer.

The Italian was officially unveiled as the new head coach in Naples after being tasked with steering the club back into Europe. Napoli endured a torrid title defence last term as they finished 10th in Serie A.

Earlier this month, the 54-year-old signed a three-year deal in his native country, 16 months after he unceremoniously left Tottenham Hotspur. Conte was installed as the new manager after Francesor Calzona parted ways after penning a short-term deal with the club in light of Walter Mazzari's sacking.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Conte dismissed rumours that Kvaratskhelia will leave the club this summer after Paris Saint-Germain expressed interest in the Georgian, with Chelsea also fiercely linked. He said: "In addition to being a top player, I consider him a good person, important in the locker room.

"The same can be said for Kvaratskelia. Last year's frustration led to unclear situations. But the players know that difficulties can happen, we must roll up our sleeves all together with respect and trust.

"I knew the situations of all the players very well, I vetoed Kvara, Di Lorenzo, Lobotka, Anguissa. Osimhen is a different situation, I already knew that. But I'm not going into discussions for him, it's part of previous discussions that we accept."

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He added: "There are no doubts. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia stays here and he will play for Napoli. There are no doubts, it’s all clear. Kvara will stay here with us."

Speculation over the 23-year-old has been rife with a host of Premier League clubs mooted - including Liverpool. PSG are seemingly a concrete option as they look to replace Kylian Mbappe following his move to Real Madrid upon the expiry of his contract.

Kvaratskhelia's agent Mamuka Jugeli has openly spoken about the next steps in his clients career and said in March: "As for the future we are talking with the club, we will see what will happen.

"He will leave if another club presents an offer that the management cannot refuse. I can’t talk about a specific amount, these are De Laurentiis’s assessments. I protect Khvicha’s contract and work. Everything will be clear at the end of May."