“I think they will stay for a long time” Napoli president speaks on Kvaratskhelia & Osimhen

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By Martin Graham | 24th Feb 2023

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has expressed confidence in his club’s ability to keep in-form forward Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for a long time at the Diego Maradona stadium.

The Nigerian and Georgian forwards are two of the most in-form players in the world at the moment. Both of them are leading the charge for Napoli in the Serie A, where they are currently 18 points clear of second-place Inter Milan after 23 games played. They are also proving to be serious contenders for the UEFA Champions League this season thanks to the performances of both players and the rest of the team who are providing the best support.

Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia have not gone under the radar, with a host of clubs looking to pry them from the Serie A giants. Both players are reported to be valued in excess of €70 million and with Napoli’s stubborn stance in transfers, it is unlikely that both players will leave for less than their valuation.

De Laurentiis was asked about the possibility of both players leaving the Diego Maradona stadium any time soon and he expressed confidence in the club’s ability to keep both forwards for a long time.

“It won’t be difficult to keep our best players, we’re good with contracts – but never say never in case of crazy proposals. I think they will stay for long time,” he said.

He made these comments after Napoli’s 2 – 0 away win over Eintracht Frankfurt in their first leg of the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League. Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia were involved in both goals, with Osimhen scoring the first and Kvaratskhelia assisting Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s second.

Both players – along with other players of interest from both teams, like Randal Kolo Muani and Daichi Kamada of Frankfurt – were scouted by over 30 clubs from across Europe, according to reports.

From the Premier League, scouts from Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Wolverhampton Wanderers were present.

Kvaratskhelia is being monitored by every major club in Europe while Manchester United and Chelsea have their sights set on Osimhen for 2023.

United have reportedly decided against the permanent signing of Wout Weghorst which creates an opening for Osimhen’s arrival. Chelsea, on the other hand, will be looking for ways to part with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang which also creates an opening for Osimhen.

Arsenal, meanwhile, look to be disadvantaged in the chase for Osimhen, who they have tried to sign since last summer. This is because of the financial muscle of the two key Premier League clubs interested in the Nigerian.

Osimhen has a contract with Napoli until 2025 while Kvaratskhelia has a contract until 2027.