Napoli head coach Antonio Conte is reportedly keen on bringing Manchester United’s rising star Alejandro Garnacho to Italy as a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. According to reports from Italy, Garnacho has emerged as Conte’s preferred option following news of Kvaratskhelia’s impending departure.
During a pre-match press conference on Saturday, Conte confirmed that Kvaratskhelia had submitted a transfer request and would not feature in Sunday’s game against Hellas Verona. Napoli is currently negotiating with Paris Saint-Germain for Kvaratskhelia’s transfer, which is expected to fetch a fee in the range of €70 million to €80 million.
The departure of the 2023 Serie A MVP has prompted Napoli to explore several potential replacements. Names like Italy international Federico Chiesa and Lille’s Edon Zhegrova have been linked with the club, but reports now suggest that Conte has specifically set his sights on Garnacho.
According to Alfredo Pedullà of SportItalia (via Football Italia), Garnacho’s transfer could cost Napoli around €50 million. The 19-year-old Argentine winger has impressed with his performances for Manchester United and is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the Premier League.
Further fueling speculation, reports from the UK have claimed that neither Garnacho nor his teammate Kobbie Mainoo is considered “unsellable” by Manchester United. The club is reportedly open to selling either player if it helps meet profit and sustainability requirements.
If Napoli succeeds in securing Garnacho, it would mark a significant acquisition for the club as they look to maintain their competitive edge in Serie A and European competitions. For now, fans await confirmation of Kvaratskhelia’s exit and whether Garnacho will be the one to fill his shoes at the Stadio Maradona.
