Kvaratskhelia’s PSG move still haunts naples president

Sports journalist turned football analyst, he has followed every twist of the transfer market for over a decade. His passion for the game was forged listening to Formula 1 engines roaring and marveling at Ronaldinho’s magic on the pitch. Now, with a Master’s in sports journalism, he attends every Grand Prix and every Paris Saint-Germain match, covering the club’s highs and lows with equal fervor.

In January 2025, Paris Saint-Germain executed one of the most audacious winter transfers in Ligue 1 history. For a reported €70 million, the club secured the signature of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli. The move instantly transformed PSG’s trajectory, propelling them to an unexpected Champions League triumph that season. Back in Naples, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis remains haunted by the deal, still struggling to accept the loss of a player who became a phenomenon in just one campaign.

Napoli’s president vents frustration over Kvaratskhelia’s exit

Aurelio De Laurentiis has not minced his words when reflecting on Kvaratskhelia’s departure. In a candid interview, he expressed deep disappointment over the Georgian forward’s decision to leave, blaming mismanagement by the player’s representatives and family for derailing contract negotiations. “In just one year at Napoli, Kvara became a star. But he refused to honor his contractual obligations—something I will never forgive. Comparing him to Maradona is laughable. Maradona was one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable, a man who wore Napoli’s colors with pride and gave the city everything. He was a diamond worth a billion carats,” he remarked with palpable emotion.

“Kvaratskhelia resisted Naples’ legendary charm”

De Laurentiis went further, drawing a vivid parallel between Kvaratskhelia’s defiance and the mythical Sirens of ancient Parthenope. “I question whether Paris can ever match the allure of a city like Naples. Founded 2,500 years ago as Parthenope—meaning ‘siren’ in ancient Greek—Naples has always enchanted its visitors. Yet Kvara plugged his ears like Odysseus, deaf to our pleas for a contract extension.” The president’s poetic yet biting words underscore the depth of his frustration, leaving little doubt that Napoli’s loss still stings deeply.