Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is prioritising a transfer to Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.

The 23-year-old played a key role in Napoli’s 2022/23 Serie A title success and is widely regarded to be one of the world’s best left wingers.

Barcelona are known to be keen on strengthening Hansi Flick’s options at left wing and have been regularly linked with some Europe’s brightest talents – Nico Williams, Leroy Sane and Rafael Leao – three whose names are regularly cropping up in gossip columns.

Kvaratskhelia has enjoyed another fine start to the season for Napoli, who are sitting top of Serie A under former Inter, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte.

But reports in Italy suggest Barcelona are preparing a bid for Kvaratskhelia in the region of €80m having seen the player reject Napoli’s attempts to renegotiate his contract. His current deal expires in the summer of 2027, potentially opening up the possibility of a move next summer.

Spanish publication SPORT add that Kvaratskhelia would prioritise a move to Barcelona, who are keen to negotiate a significant reduction on the €130m release clause that is in the Georgian’s Napoli contract.

In order to facilitate incomings, Barcelona will likely have to be creative in the transfer market to balance the books. Former teenage prodigy Ansu Fati is among those who will reportedly be allowed to leave if an acceptable offer is made, alongside former Manchester City forward Ferran Torres.

More players may have to follow, if Barcelona are to revamp areas of their squad and bring in the likes of Alphonso Davies on big wages, but their current form suggests Hansi Flick may not need to make too many alterations in the short term.

The Catalan giants have been in great form during 2024/25, 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad at the weekend aside, and top La Liga by six points. Barcelona have also extracted the best possible form out of Robert Lewandowski, who has 19 goals in 17 appearances across all competitions, and Raphinha, who is a rejuvenated figure after earning a regular starting berth on the opposite flank to Lamine Yamal.

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