Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Napoli reveals his disappointment through the Serie A match between Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 08, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Pictures)
Napoli director Giovanni Manna says the Partenopei had been pressured and ‘virtually blackmailed’ to ship Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to PSG and divulges Alejandro Garnacho’s requests had been too excessive for a January switch.
Manna defined Napoli’s January strikes at a press convention on Wednesday.
The Partenopei despatched Kvaratskhelia to PSG for over €70m and chased a substitute for a number of weeks, finally signing Noah Okafor on mortgage with an possibility to purchase from Milan.
“We needed to make clear sure dynamics that will appear incorrect or unfaithful, as we’ve learn many issues in current days. We wish to be clear and clarify what has occurred over the previous month,” Manna stated by way of TuttoNapoli.
Napoli’ virtually blackmailed’ in Kvaratskhelia deal, however couldn’t fulfill Garnacho
“We thank Kvara for what he did in Naples, for what he gave to the town. We tried to resolve an advanced state of affairs in July, then once more in November and December, however we had been pressured to promote him on this window as a result of we discovered ourselves— I gained’t say blackmailed, however virtually. It was essential to make this transfer.”
Kvara and Napoli had been in talks for a brand new deal for a number of months, however once they appeared near reaching an settlement, the Georgian ace requested to go away.
“I’ve learn that it was wanted to cowl the summer time switch market or stability the books, however that’s not true,” continued Manna.
“We had been negotiating a significant renewal up till 20 days earlier than, however then the dynamics of the market and the participant’s will led us to take a distinct path.
“We misplaced an necessary participant, as you all say, as all of us say—it’s goal. However Napoli tried to work available on the market to exchange him correctly as a result of he was most likely the very best participant within the crew by way of standing. We couldn’t finalize any offers as a result of January is a distinct market. Sturdy gamers don’t normally transfer, and a few valuations didn’t align with Napoli’s monetary parameters, each now and sooner or later, particularly relating to wage ranges.”
Antonio Conte repeatedly requested a substitute of the identical degree as Kvara and Italian media consider the coach is sad with what the membership acquired.
“With the coach, we mentioned issues. It’s clear we’re not blissful—I’m the primary to say that as a result of we misplaced an necessary participant,” stated Manna.
“Expectations can typically be too excessive, we most likely contributed to that, however I do know we’ve a squad that has earned 54 factors and is rising strongly. We shouldn’t undervalue that.
“Our methods are all the time aligned. There’s nothing to repair, Conte is targeted on the pitch and his work,” stated Manna.
“Speaking an excessive amount of concerning the switch market undermines what has been achieved to date. This crew completed tenth final season, then accomplished its squad in the summertime, and due to the coach and the gamers, we’ve now consolidated a place in keeping with our purpose: to return to European competitions, hopefully by means of the entrance door. That’s the actual goal. It’s a course of that takes time, and it’s not nearly what occurs on the pitch. It doesn’t occur in six months.
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi and Fenerbahce loanee Allan Saint-Maximin had been among the many gamers Napoli contacted to exchange Kvara.
“There have been different names that didn’t come out within the media. We pursued Garnacho even earlier than Kvara left,” Manna revealed.
“We made a big supply to Manchester United and acquired very shut. Nonetheless, to go away the Premier League in January, which is completely different from a summer time transfer, he needed to be financially glad, and that was one thing we couldn’t and didn’t wish to do. It additionally wouldn’t have been honest to the remainder of the squad, the place there’s a longtime wage construction.”
Manna’s rationalization goes towards what had been reported in Italy as a number of media claimed the settlement with United was distant, whereas the Argentinean had accepted a transfer to the Stadio Maradona.
As for Adeyemi, “We had an settlement in precept with Dortmund, however the participant wasn’t certain and determined towards coming at this second,” Manna continued.
“I’ve learn that he already has an settlement with one other membership, however that’s not true. I didn’t wish to push too exhausting.
“All of the gamers who’ve joined since I arrived have strongly needed to return to Napoli. If I’ve to persuade somebody to return when Napoli is on this place, with probably the greatest coaches on the earth, and enjoying this properly—then they’re not the appropriate match for us.
“Saint-Maximin was a bureaucratic difficulty, and the Saudi membership had calls for that neither we nor Fenerbahce might meet. The remorse is that we must always have pursued a participant like him earlier as a substitute of chasing targets with inflated values, which wasted time.
“Okafor didn’t fail a medical at Leipzig, because it was rumoured. He had an damage in December, rejoined coaching 10 days in the past, and is barely behind in health based mostly on our knowledge, however he’s following our strategies and can want a while to stand up to hurry.”
