Napoli and star player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have entered a public war of words over the forward's future.
The Georgia international, who is currently at Euro 2024 with his country, is desperate to leave the club after a disastrous defence of their Serie A crown, finishing 10th.
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Napoli have dug their heels in and demanded Kvaratskhelia stay, even going as far as reportedly rejecting a €100million bid from Paris Saint-Germain for the forward.
Kvaratskhelia’s agent, Mamuka Jugeli, on Sunday went public with the player's desire to leave, telling Sport Imedi: "We want to leave Napoli, but now we're all waiting for the Euro 2024.
"With [new manager Antonio] Conte, Napoli have big plans. I'm sure they will qualify to the Champions League again next season and fight for the Scudetto. But that doesn't mean that Kvaratskhelia wants to stay there.
"I haven't spoken with Khvicha about this issue, the most important thing for him is the national team.
"Our goal is [to join a] team that plays in the Champions League. The worst thing is that if he stays here, Khvicha will lose one year because of that ... we are worried."
Jugeli's explosive quotes were soon retirated by Kvaratskhelia’s father, Badri, to the same publication: "I don't want Khvicha to stay in Napoli. He has worked with four different coaches in one year, this worries me a lot — he will decide for himself, although it's uncomfortable for me.
“I haven't spoken to Khvicha about this topic [and] I'm not going to until the end of the Euro 2024."
Napoli have not taken the two-pronged attack lying down, issuing a blunt statement overnight.
It read: “In reference to the statements of Kvaratskhelia’s agent, Mamuka Jugeli, and his father Badri, Calcio Napoli reiterate that the player has a contract for another three years with the club.
“Kvaratskhelia is not on the market. It’s not agents or fathers who decide on the future of a player under contract with Napoli, but the Calcio Napoli club!!! End of story.”
