How PSG’s winter signing changed football in Paris

Football in Paris entered a new era in January 2025 when Paris Saint-Germain made a bold move in the winter transfer window. Shelling out €70 million, the club secured the signature of Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli, a decision that would reshape the trajectory of the season and leave rivals stunned.

Under the guidance of manager Luis Enrique, PSG have dominated French football for years, but the arrival of Kvaratskhelia—nicknamed Kvara by fans—elevated their ambitions to new heights. While the club had previously claimed the UEFA Champions League trophy, the Georgian’s influence in Europe’s premier competition this season proved decisive. His dazzling dribbles, pinpoint crosses, and clinical finishing turned him into the team’s standout performer in the tournament.

Napoli’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis, still nursing the sting of the transfer, didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration. Speaking candidly, he compared Kvaratskhelia’s rise at the Italian club to something almost mythical—though he stopped short of equating it to Diego Maradona’s legendary status at Napoli.

From Naples to Paris: a transfer that still stings

« In just one year, Kvara became a star at Napoli, » De Laurentiis remarked. « But his decision to leave wasn’t just about football—it reflected deeper issues with how his representatives and family managed his career. Calling him a new Maradona is laughable; Maradona wasn’t just a player, he was Napoli’s soul. He was irreplaceable—on and off the pitch. »

Why Kvaratskhelia chose Paris over Naples’ eternal charm

De Laurentiis went further, weaving history and myth into his critique. « I doubt Paris can ever offer the warmth and allure of Napoli, » he said. « This city, born over 2,500 years ago as Parthenope—the ‘Sirens’ city in ancient Greek—has a pull unlike any other. Kvaratskhelia, like Ulysses, plugged his ears to avoid being lured by Napoli’s song. He chose Paris, but I wonder… will he regret missing out on the melody that once enchanted Maradona? »