Kvaratskhelia injury changes PSG picture for Mexico sensation Mora

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Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s ACL injury has fundamentally altered the January transfer market, putting Gilberto Mora firmly in the frame as the Georgian’s replacement at PSG.

The long-term injury suffered by PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia promises to have long-term consequences for the transfer market, with the double Champions League winners ready to invest some of the €180m profit they made in the summer on a replacement.

After tangling with Barcelona defender Xavi Espart in PSG’s 4-2 victory at Parc des Princes on Tuesday, the outcome of Kvaratskhelia’s injury was quickly confirmed by his club. He requires surgery and faces missing the rest of the season due to injury.

Although PSG have the likes of Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts to call upon to replace the Georgia international, L’Equipe reports that they are ready to go into the January transfer market to find a replacement.

It states: “The club was already looking for a new player to strengthen this position during the winter transfer window. A young, high-potential profile.”

Crucially, PSG’s ambitions in the market can be fuelled by the €135m they received from Liverpool for Bradley Barcola, which was one of several lucrative sales they made in the summer.

While Eurosport claims that the Parisians are monitoring Athletic Club’s Nico Williams, PSG could potentially disrupt the transfer plans of several leading clubs by moving for the highly rated Gilberto Mora of Club Tijuana.

Gilberto Mora fits PSG’s project neatly

Mora has been heavily linked with a string of major clubs, having turned 18 in October. Liverpool are one of the Premier League sides rumoured to be interested in him, while Barcelona and Real Madrid are also linked.

But he also checks crucial boxes for PSG, where Kvaratskhelia’s long-term absence now opens the door for a potential move. The left winger occupies the correct position and has the type of potential that PSG are seeking – and crucially he is also likely to be available.

From a commercial point of view, he is also an interesting prospect given that he would help the French side strengthen their brand in North America – something they have been notably eager to achieve in recent years.

There has been some confusion over the type of fee that might be sufficient for Mora to leave in January. Spanish media have reported that he has a €25 million release clause, but equally there have also been claims that Liverpool tabled a €40m offer for him.

All change for Mexican sensation

Kvaratskhelia’s injury threatens to fundamentally change Mora’s situation in January because there are so few left wingers available.

PSG are not entirely without alternatives, however. Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz might be the dream target in these circumstances, but the Turin giants will not want to sell their best player midway through the season, while other possible targets who fit the key criteria are Como’s Jesus Rodriguez and RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa.

Given this backdrop, Mora looks an increasingly attractive option, particularly with PSG aiming to gain a greater foothold in the North American market, giving the teenager a bigger upside than simply what he might provide on the park.

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