In a transfer saga that has gripped football fans, Kevin De Bruyne, the 33-year-old Manchester City legend, is on the verge of a sensational move to Napoli, with the deal reportedly a mere formality. The Belgian maestro, whose contract with the Premier League giants expires at the end of the 2024-25 season, confirmed his departure in April, setting the stage for a new chapter in his illustrious career. “Dear Manchester, Seeing this you probably realise where this is heading. So I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player,” De Bruyne announced, his words carrying the weight of a decade-long legacy that includes six Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, and 174 assists in all competitions. As Napoli, the newly crowned Serie A champions, prepare to welcome him, the football world awaits the next act of a player hailed by Pep Guardiola as “one of the greatest midfielders ever to have played in this country.”
De Bruyne’s journey to Naples has been a whirlwind of speculation and intrigue. After a trophy-laden decade at Manchester City, where he set records with 118 Premier League assists—second only to Ryan Giggs—and matched Thierry Henry’s single-season assist record of 20 in 2019-20, the playmaker’s departure was a bittersweet moment. “Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes,” he said, reflecting on his emotional farewell. His final home game at the Etihad Stadium, a 3-1 win over Bournemouth, saw fans unfurl a “King Kev” banner, with former teammates like Sergio Aguero lauding him in a video tribute: “Congratulations for your career, it was an honour to play with you.” Despite interest from Liverpool, where Mohamed Salah cheekily remarked there was “space for him” at Anfield, and Aston Villa, who held internal discussions, Napoli emerged as the frontrunners, driven by De Bruyne’s desire to stay in Europe and his friendship with Belgian teammate Romelu Lukaku.
The move to Napoli, orchestrated by manager Antonio Conte, is set to see De Bruyne sign a two-year contract with an option for a third, earning approximately €7-8 million per year plus bonuses. His wife’s unexpected appearance house-hunting in Naples earlier this month fueled speculation, and recent reports indicate De Bruyne has given the “green light” to the transfer, prioritizing the Serie A leaders over offers from MLS clubs like Inter Miami, who hold his discovery rights, and Saudi Pro League sides such as Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah. “I know I’m not 25 anymore, but I feel like I’m doing my job,” De Bruyne said, underscoring his belief in his ability to compete at the elite level, a sentiment echoed by his pain-free performances this season after injury-plagued campaigns. His 2.24 key passes per 90 minutes and vision in the final third remain unmatched, making him a perfect fit for Napoli’s attacking ambitions.
Napoli’s pursuit reflects their intent to build on their 2024-25 Serie A title, where they lead Inter Milan by three points with three games remaining. Conte, leveraging De Bruyne’s rapport with Lukaku, sees the midfielder as the key to elevating Napoli’s attack, with his pinpoint crosses and line-breaking passes expected to complement players like Scott McTominay. “I can make a difference for this team,” De Bruyne said, signaling his intent to shine in Italy. The deal’s finalization hinges on personal terms, with De Bruyne weighing family considerations—his three children, including son Mason, a promising player—against the allure of a new challenge. Despite a brief flirtation with Real Madrid, where he offered to take a 50% pay cut, Napoli’s project won out, with no last-minute twists expected.
As De Bruyne prepares to bid farewell to Manchester City, where a statue seems inevitable—“I would bet a lot of money that it is going to happen,” Guardiola predicted—his move to Napoli promises to extend his legacy. With the 2026 World Cup in his sights, De Bruyne’s decision to join a competitive European league over lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia or the MLS reflects his hunger for elite football. Napoli fans, already buzzing from their title triumph, await a player whose 280 goal involvements for City could redefine their attack, setting the stage for a thrilling new era in Serie A.
In a transfer saga that has gripped football fans, Kevin De Bruyne, the 33-year-old Manchester City legend, is on the verge of a sensational move to Napoli, with the deal reportedly a mere formality. The Belgian maestro, whose contract with the Premier League giants expires at the end of the 2024-25 season, confirmed his departure in April, setting the stage for a new chapter in his illustrious career. “Dear Manchester, Seeing this you probably realise where this is heading. So I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player,” De Bruyne announced, his words carrying the weight of a decade-long legacy that includes six Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, and 174 assists in all competitions. As Napoli, the newly crowned Serie A champions, prepare to welcome him, the football world awaits the next act of a player hailed by Pep Guardiola as “one of the greatest midfielders ever to have played in this country.”
De Bruyne’s journey to Naples has been a whirlwind of speculation and intrigue. After a trophy-laden decade at Manchester City, where he set records with 118 Premier League assists—second only to Ryan Giggs—and matched Thierry Henry’s single-season assist record of 20 in 2019-20, the playmaker’s departure was a bittersweet moment. “Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes,” he said, reflecting on his emotional farewell. His final home game at the Etihad Stadium, a 3-1 win over Bournemouth, saw fans unfurl a “King Kev” banner, with former teammates like Sergio Aguero lauding him in a video tribute: “Congratulations for your career, it was an honour to play with you.” Despite interest from Liverpool, where Mohamed Salah cheekily remarked there was “space for him” at Anfield, and Aston Villa, who held internal discussions, Napoli emerged as the frontrunners, driven by De Bruyne’s desire to stay in Europe and his friendship with Belgian teammate Romelu Lukaku.
The move to Napoli, orchestrated by manager Antonio Conte, is set to see De Bruyne sign a two-year contract with an option for a third, earning approximately €7-8 million per year plus bonuses. His wife’s unexpected appearance house-hunting in Naples earlier this month fueled speculation, and recent reports indicate De Bruyne has given the “green light” to the transfer, prioritizing the Serie A leaders over offers from MLS clubs like Inter Miami, who hold his discovery rights, and Saudi Pro League sides such as Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah. “I know I’m not 25 anymore, but I feel like I’m doing my job,” De Bruyne said, underscoring his belief in his ability to compete at the elite level, a sentiment echoed by his pain-free performances this season after injury-plagued campaigns. His 2.24 key passes per 90 minutes and vision in the final third remain unmatched, making him a perfect fit for Napoli’s attacking ambitions.
Napoli’s pursuit reflects their intent to build on their 2024-25 Serie A title, where they lead Inter Milan by three points with three games remaining. Conte, leveraging De Bruyne’s rapport with Lukaku, sees the midfielder as the key to elevating Napoli’s attack, with his pinpoint crosses and line-breaking passes expected to complement players like Scott McTominay. “I can make a difference for this team,” De Bruyne said, signaling his intent to shine in Italy. The deal’s finalization hinges on personal terms, with De Bruyne weighing family considerations—his three children, including son Mason, a promising player—against the allure of a new challenge. Despite a brief flirtation with Real Madrid, where he offered to take a 50% pay cut, Napoli’s project won out, with no last-minute twists expected.
As De Bruyne prepares to bid farewell to Manchester City, where a statue seems inevitable—“I would bet a lot of money that it is going to happen,” Guardiola predicted—his move to Napoli promises to extend his legacy. With the 2026 World Cup in his sights, De Bruyne’s decision to join a competitive European league over lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia or the MLS reflects his hunger for elite football. Napoli fans, already buzzing from their title triumph, await a player whose 280 goal involvements for City could redefine their attack, setting the stage for a thrilling new era in Serie A.
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