Arne Slot Dismisses Kvaratskhelia Transfer Rumors Ahead of FA Cup Clash

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has refused to comment on speculation linking Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia with a January move to Anfield. Kvaratskhelia, whose contract with Napoli expires in 2027, has been at the center of transfer rumors after stalled contract negotiations. Napoli values the 23-year-old Georgian international at around €80 million ($82 million), with Liverpool reportedly leading the race to secure his signature.

Slot addressed the rumors during a news conference ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup third-round match against Accrington Stanley. “What I make of that is that it’s January. I said after the West Ham game, ‘don’t disappoint me, please come up with all these names’ [Liverpool are linked with],” Slot said. “That’s what is happening now. Nine out of 10 times, 99 times out of 100 times, at the end of the window it becomes clear almost all of these stories weren’t true.”

Slot also defended Liverpool’s right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has faced criticism following a lackluster performance in Sunday’s match. Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of the season, and Liverpool has reportedly received offers for him this month. Slot dismissed claims that opposing teams are targeting Liverpool’s right-hand side, emphasizing that defensive issues are a collective responsibility.

Meanwhile, Kvaratskhelia was dropped from Napoli’s squad for their recent match against Hellas Verona amid ongoing transfer talks with Paris Saint-Germain. The winger’s future remains uncertain as the January transfer window progresses.