'Talks underway': Fabrizio Romano delivers late night update on Kvaratskhelia transfer as Liverpool join race

Today at 02:00 AM

Liverpool’s January transfer window got interesting on Thursday evening.

The Reds have been deathly quiet during the first week-and-a-bit of the New Year, but they now look set to whir into life.

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly to some, Liverpool have entered the race for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

After his contract talks with Napoli ground to a halt, Kvaratskhelia has been put on the market by the Italian side this January.

Liverpool are long-term admirers of Kvaratskhelia and Rousing The Kop understand that the Reds are desperate not to miss out on the 23-year-old if he moves this window.

Nevertheless, there is big competition out there for the man nicknamed ‘Kvaradona’ in Naples. And according to a late Thursday update from journalist Fabrizio Romano, PSG are still very much leading the race.

PSG pushing hard for Khvicha Kvarataskhelia

Perhaps it should not have been too much of a shock to hear that Liverpool are keen on the idea of bringing Kvaratskhelia in this January.

The Georgian has seemingly been on the Reds’ radar for a long while and if there’s an unexpected chance to get him in, then that’s the kind of move Liverpool like to go for.

But RTK understands that Liverpool’s interest is as a direct result of PSG attempting to extrapolate Kvaratskhelia from Napoli.

And according to Romano’s late night update, the French champions are pushing ahead in ‘direct negotiations’ with the Naples side.

READ MORE: Bryan Mbeumo contract revelation emerges as Brentford deal Liverpool transfer blow

“Napoli's formal request for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia remains around €80m package,” the transfer expert reports on X.

“Direct negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain are ongoing, as revealed today. Talks underway. Kvaratskhelia's camp, discussing terms with PSG as they're offering over x4 his current salary.”

Can Liverpool compete with PSG?

While Romano interestingly does not mention Liverpool in his update, it’s clear that they are there lurking in the background.

But as talks with PSG ramp up, the Reds are going to have to act quickly in order to get involved.

In terms of whether that is possible, some supporters may have been scared off by Romano’s ‘4x his current salary’ claim.

However, according to Capology, Kvaratskhelia is currently taking home around £32k-per-week. If that is accurate, then a weekly wage of something like £130k-per-week is surely well within Liverpool’s grasp.

The fee is certainly high, but having kept their powder dry throughout 2024, the Reds should not have trouble reaching that, too.