Since Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) took over Paris Saint-Germain in 2011, many superstars have come through the squad. From Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Neymar Jr. to Lionel Messi, some of the greatest players of our generation have worn the famous PSG shirt. Could the next superstar already be in the French capital?
Like those who play casino games online, PSG needed a bit of luck and patience to sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli. In the summer of 2024, reports emerged that Napoli wanted a transfer fee of at least €100 million for the Georgia international. Instead of doing what they’ve done so often in the QSI era, which is overspend on transfer fees, PSG instead pulled back and waited until they could get a deal done that was closer to their terms.
Kvaratskhelia eventually signed for PSG in the January transfer window the following year for a reported €80 million transfer fee. While it was substantially less than what Napoli demanded the previous summer, it was still the most PSG spent in a January transfer window in club history. It was great business from PSG to get a player of Kvaratskhelia’s quality for less than what it would have cost in a transfer fee just a few months earlier.
In a half-season at PSG, Kvaratskhelia scored three goals in the UEFA Champions League, including one in the final against Inter Milan. At that time, PSG’s attack was led by the eventual Ballon d’Or winner, Ousmane Dembélé, but was still figuring out how to replace all the goals scored by Kylian Mbappé, who left the previous season for Real Madrid. Kvaratskhelia stepped in as PSG’s new number 7 and, unlike his predecessor, showed that he is just as willing to defend as he is to take on defenders.
In his first full season at PSG, Kvaratskhelia has continued to develop under head coach Luis Enrique. In 11 appearances in the Champions League, Kvaratskhelia has seven goals, including a brace in the pivotal first leg against Chelsea FC in the Round of 16. His tireless work rate and nose for goal have started to attract attention from outside of Ligue 1. A recent report indicated that Arsenal FC, the Premier League leaders, would be interested in signing Kvaratskhelia if he became available. Thankfully, the 25-year-old is under contract until 2029 and, by all indications, is happy with his role in the PSG squad.
Kvaratskhelia is the best player for his national team and is challenging Dembélé for PSG’s most talented and consistent attackers. If he continues on this trajectory, Kvaratskhelia could become PSG’s next great superstar.
