Paris Saint-Germain are stepping up efforts to agree a new contract with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before the Ballon d’Or ceremony on 26 October, according to L’Equipe.
The Parisian club wants to settle the terms of a fresh agreement with the Georgia winger as soon as possible, with the timing linked to his prospects in the Ballon d’Or voting.
Paris Saint-Germain believe Kvaratskhelia’s demands could become more expensive if he wins the award or finishes among the top three players in the vote. Representatives of the club are therefore working to reach an agreement before the ceremony takes place.
The report does not indicate that a new contract has yet been signed. Instead, it says that Paris Saint-Germain are making every effort to complete negotiations in the coming period, before the result of the Ballon d’Or is known.
The club’s concern centres on the potential effect of the award on Kvaratskhelia’s salary expectations. A victory, or a place in the top three, could strengthen the player’s position in discussions over the value of his next deal.
Kvaratskhelia played an important role in Paris Saint-Germain’s success last season. The winger helped the club win the UEFA Champions League and was named the competition’s best player.
That achievement has increased the significance of the contract talks for Paris Saint-Germain. The club wants to retain a player who was central to its European triumph, while also attempting to conclude negotiations before any possible rise in his financial demands.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony on 26 October is consequently being treated as an important deadline in the discussions. Paris Saint-Germain’s preference is to have the agreement in place before the event, rather than negotiate after the player’s position has potentially been strengthened by the outcome of the vote.
Kvaratskhelia’s performances in the previous season have given him a prominent place in the talks. He contributed to Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory and received individual recognition as the tournament’s leading player.
Those two factors form the basis of the club’s urgency: Paris Saint-Germain want to extend their relationship with Kvaratskhelia, but are also aware that his Ballon d’Or result could influence the terms required to do so.
For now, negotiations remain the focus, with the French club aiming to reach a settlement before the ceremony. The exact conditions of the proposed contract have not been disclosed, but L’Equipe reports that Paris Saint-Germain are seeking progress before 26 October.
