Man Utd enter race to sign 'future Ballon d'Or winner' who ripped rivals Liverpool apart

Manchester United have reportedly shown interest in signing a star player dubbed a future Ballon d'Or winner.

It has so far been a tough season for the Red Devils after their dreadful start left them trailing far behind their main rivals.

Currently, United are 13th in the Premier League table, 13 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and 23 adrift of leaders Liverpool.

The 24/25 campaign also saw the end of Erik ten Hag's reign at Old Trafford, with highly-rated Portuguese Ruben Amorim taking over from the Dutchman.

Since the 39-year-old took over, United have recorded some big wins but have also suffered disappointing defeats.

Manchester United linked with a move for 'future Ballon d'Or winner'

With the January transfer window now open, it has been claimed that United have entered the race to sign Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

As reported by French news outlet L'Equipe, Paris Saint Germain face competition from United to sign the 23-year-old, who has impressed in Naples.

Kvaratskhelia is one of the most sought-after players in world football and has been tipped to become a future winner of the Ballon d'Or.

Speaking in 2023, Kvaratskhelia's Napoli teammate Victor Osimhen said: "Everyone loves him in the dressing room, not only for what he does on the pitch but also for what he does off the pitch.

"I believe he can win the Ballon d'Or in the next few years, I hope he also brings many successes to Napoli."

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been linked with a move to Old Trafford. Image: Getty

However, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano delivered an update on the Georgian on Thursday, which could be bad news for United, he wrote on social media: "Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has definitely opened doors to January exit. PSG, on it. Paris Saint-Germain, favorites and in direct contact with Napoli — as revealed today.

"Package around €80m discussed while Kvara’s camp in talks with PSG over personal terms, progressing well."

Kvaratskhelia has previously shown that he could produce the goods at the top level, with Liverpool being his victim in the Champions League back in 2022.

Napoli beat Jurgen Klopp's Reds 4-1 with Kvaratskhelia impressing after causing the Liverpool defence all sorts of trouble during the match.

Speaking about Kvaratskhelia, Klopp said at the time: "He’s a good player. Really quick and you have to defend him together in these moments. When he has the advantage of the first movement, then he is already gone.

"You have to try to be there in the moment when the ball arrives, but if you cannot do that then you need to be protected because he has speed, he is cheeky, he goes inside, he can go outside, that makes it always really difficult."

United will return to action this weekend when they begin their defence of the FA Cup against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.