Napoli boss Antonio Conte has confirmed that Manchester United-linked Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has asked to leave the club.

Recent reports by L'Equipe in France have claimed that United have joined the race to sign Kvaratskhelia, further claiming the club have held 'concrete talks' with the forward. Liverpool, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with the 23-year-old who has impressed in Naples.

Kvaratskhelia's five goals in Serie A so far this season have played a key role in Napoli sitting top of the table in Italy as they chase just a second Scuddeto title in 30 years. But the Italian club's season could now be disrupted by the news that one of their star players has asked to leave.

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Conte confirmed at his pre-match press conference before Napoli's clash against Verona that Kvaratskhelia is looking for a new challenge.

"We are talking about an important player, last summer I spoke to the president and I wanted to have some technical certainties by demanding the confirmation of some important players," he said

"Even though he and others had asked to be sold, I worked on it and managed to keep who I wanted. He [Kvaratskhelia] asked the club to be sold. I am disappointed, I realized that it was a bolt from the blue and I am taking a step back.

"I would never want him to think that I have chained him here if he were to stay. I did it last summer, thinking of convincing him of the goodness of the project, but evidently, I did not succeed. We are losing an important player.

"It's a difficult month, many players think they have their bags in hand. I have a lot of faith in this squad, I take this opportunity to say goodbye to [Michael] Folorunsho and [Elia] Caprile who have asked to be sold. I can't wait for this month of January to end because it creates some problems."

"We haven't thought about how to replace him yet, it was a bolt from the blue and today the most important thing is tomorrow's match against Verona. It's right to leave the ball in the hands of the player's entourage and the club.

"Personally, I have to try to make the most of the squad available, we can't chain anyone down. If he stays, he should know full well that it's a situation I haven't managed to resolve yet."