In a move that has sent ripples through the football world, Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian midfield maestro, is spearheading a campaign to reunite with his former Manchester City teammate Jack Grealish at Napoli. De Bruyne, who recently swapped the Premier League’s Etihad Stadium for the sun-soaked Diego Maradona Stadium after joining the Serie A champions on a free transfer in June 2025, has made his stance crystal clear: he wants Grealish by his side in Naples. The 33-year-old’s glowing endorsement of the England winger has intensified speculation about Grealish’s future, as Manchester City prepare to part ways with their £100 million star.
De Bruyne’s departure from Manchester City marked the end of a glittering decade, during which he helped secure six Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, and a host of domestic trophies. Yet, despite his storied tenure, City opted not to extend his contract, citing recent injury struggles. Undeterred, De Bruyne chose Napoli over lucrative offers from MLS side Chicago Fire and Saudi clubs, drawn by the chance to compete in the Champions League under Antonio Conte’s stewardship. Now settled in Italy, he’s wasting no time shaping Napoli’s ambitions, urging Conte to pursue Grealish, whom he considers “the BEST I’ve ever had the pleasure to play with,” as Grealish himself echoed on Instagram when De Bruyne left City.
Grealish, 29, faces an uncertain future at Manchester City after a challenging 2024-25 season. Limited to just 1,521 minutes and seven Premier League starts, he was sidelined by manager Pep Guardiola, who favored wingers like Jeremy Doku and Omar Marmoush. Grealish’s omission from City’s FIFA Club World Cup squad in June 2025 was the final straw, prompting Guardiola to admit, “Jack is an exceptional player. The only reason why he didn’t play last season is of course my decisions.” The club, which paid a British-record £100 million for Grealish in 2021, is now open to a £40-50 million sale or even a loan with an obligation to buy, despite his £300,000-a-week wages posing a hurdle. Napoli, with £45 million earmarked for a winger, see Grealish as a prime target, though he’d need to accept a significant pay cut to make the move.
De Bruyne’s advocacy for Grealish stems from their shared history and mutual respect. The Belgian has long praised Grealish’s creativity, noting after a Nations League clash before Grealish’s City move, “I rate him very highly. You can’t really get it off him, and then sliding through plays. That’s his quality.” Conte, known for reviving Premier League stars like Romelu Lukaku at Napoli, has been quizzing De Bruyne about Grealish’s fit in his system. The winger’s versatility and flair could complement Napoli’s midfield, already bolstered by ex-Premier League talents Scott McTominay—Serie A’s 2024-25 MVP—and Billy Gilmour. De Bruyne’s “glowing reference” has tilted Napoli’s interest toward Grealish over Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, another target, as the club can only afford one marquee winger.
For Grealish, a move to Napoli offers a chance to reignite his career and boost his England prospects under Thomas Tuchel ahead of the 2026 World Cup. “It’s about playing regularly again and forcing my way back into England’s plans,” a source close to Grealish revealed, highlighting his motivation to escape the intense scrutiny he faces in England. Everton and Tottenham have also expressed interest, with the Toffees eyeing a loan and Spurs seeking a long-term successor to Son Heung-min. Yet, the allure of Serie A, coupled with De Bruyne’s mentorship, makes Napoli the frontrunner.
As Napoli prepare to defend their Serie A title and compete in the Champions League, De Bruyne’s vision of a Grealish reunion could transform their attack. His heartfelt plea to Conte underscores a bond forged in City’s treble-winning 2022-23 season, when Grealish declared, “One of the reasons I joined Man City was to play alongside you brother!” With transfer talks heating up, the football world awaits the next chapter in this dynamic duo’s story.
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