Sky Journalist – Man Utd tipped to make move for £86m Arsenal target identified as replacement for Liverpool star

Manchester United is reportedly showing interest in Napoli’s forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a player who was previously linked with an £86 million move to Arsenal. The Georgian international had a standout debut season with Napoli, contributing 14 goals and 17 assists in 43 appearances, helping the club secure the Serie A title.

Despite being relatively unknown before last season, Kvaratskhelia is now on the radar of top clubs across Europe. Napoli, however, has the upper hand, as the 22-year-old is under contract until 2027, allowing them to demand a substantial fee for the talented winger.

While reports in the previous month suggested that Arsenal was preparing a significant bid for Kvaratskhelia, no such transfer materialized before the summer window closed. Napoli was determined to retain their key players, including Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen.

Manchester United is currently facing a shortage of options in wide areas. Antony has been granted time off to address allegations of violence towards women, and Jadon Sancho’s future remains uncertain following public criticism of manager Erik ten Hag.

Although Manchester United reportedly “admires” Kvaratskhelia, it seems unlikely that Napoli will allow him to leave in January. According to reports, a move during the season may be improbable, and a loan deal could be a more practical option to strengthen United’s squad until the end of the campaign.

In addition, Liverpool expert Neil Jones has identified Kvaratskhelia as a potential replacement for Mo Salah, who has attracted interest from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad. If Salah were to leave, Liverpool might consider Kvaratskhelia, known for his speed, goal-scoring ability, and creative talents, to fill the void.