Napoli manager Antonio Conte has revealed Newcastle United-linked Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has asked to leave the club.

In recent days, the Georgian has reportedly emerged as a target for a host of Premier League clubs, including the Magpies, amid claims that the 23-year-old could leave the Serie A club this month. Paris Saint-Germain are said to be favourites to land the highly-rated winger but Liverpool are rumoured to be waiting in the wings.

Italian news outlet CorSport claimed that transfer chiefs at St James' Park sounded out Kvaratskhelia over his availability. However, reports suggest that the French giants are leading the chase to sign the forward, with some claiming that an agreement has been met.

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Speaking ahead of Sunday's clash with Hellas Verona, which Kvaratskhelia will miss, Conte revealed that he has signalled his intention to leave Naples.

"I have never hidden away from uncomfortable questions. If I speak, I’ll tell the truth, otherwise I prefer to stay quiet, I don’t tell lies,” the former Chelsea manager said.

"We are talking about an important player. A player who was already due to leave in the summer. I also wanted to have technical certainties.

"Quality is needed in addition to the work I demanded, as well as the confirmation of certain players, including Khvicha, who, as you know, had asked to be sold in the summer. And he wasn’t the only one.

“We are moving forwards, but it is easy to forget the work I had to do to convince the players, who I considered essential, to stay. Many wanted to take other paths.

"He asked the club to be sold, without mincing his words. 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, working with him, showing him that we could do something great and also working with the club for six months on the renewal.

"From my point of view, it’s a great disappointment. Today I have to take a step back. I can’t keep those who want to leave tied up in chains. I did that in the summer and had six months to convince all the parties to find a solution.

“I realise that the news has come out of the blue, but now I am taking a step back and it’s right that the club and Kvara’s entourage resolve the situation.

"And so, he is not available for Verona. We will see what happens. We will lose an important player, but for the meantime, let’s focus on Verona."