Kevin De Bruyne, the Manchester City legend whose vision and precision have defined a decade of dominance, is poised to embark on a new chapter with Serie A champions Napoli, snubbing two Premier League rivals in a move that underscores his loyalty to his former club. The 33-year-old Belgian maestro, whose contract with City expires on June 30, 2025, has rejected offers from Aston Villa and West Ham United, opting instead for a blockbuster transfer to Naples. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that De Bruyne’s lawyers are set to finalize a three-year deal with Napoli, with negotiations nearing completion within days. “Napoli have been working on Kevin De Bruyne deal for months… and we’re now about to see the finish line,” said Napoli director Giovanni Manna, signaling the club’s determination to secure the midfielder’s signature. As De Bruyne prepares to bid farewell to the Etihad, where he will be honored with a statue alongside club icons like Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero, his move to Italy promises to unite him with familiar faces and reignite his career at the elite level.
De Bruyne’s decision to leave Manchester City, where he won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five EFL Cups, and a Champions League over a glittering 10-year spell, was announced with an emotional letter to fans last month. “Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes,” he wrote, reflecting on a journey that transformed him into one of the Premier League’s greatest-ever playmakers. Despite a challenging 2024/25 season marred by injuries and City’s failure to retain the Premier League title, De Bruyne insists he has “plenty left to offer.” His final Premier League appearance came against Fulham on May 25, 2025, followed by an FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, where he could add a third FA Cup to his trophy haul. “I want to play good football,” De Bruyne told reporters when asked about his future, adding with a mischievous smile, “Maybe,” when pressed on a potential Premier League stay, briefly fueling speculation about moves to rivals like Liverpool.
However, De Bruyne’s heart appears set on Napoli, a decision influenced by personal and professional ties. His wife, Michele Lacroix, whom he married in Sorrento near Naples in 2017, recently visited the city to scout properties, and Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed, “I’m told he’s already bought a beautiful house.” De Laurentiis, who spoke with De Bruyne, his wife, and son, added, “Will he get to lift this cup too? Probably yes,” hinting at the midfielder’s potential to add to Napoli’s trophy cabinet. The move reunites De Bruyne with Belgium teammate Romelu Lukaku, a close friend from their Chelsea days, and former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, who was named Serie A Player of the Month for April 2025. “I’m happy with the way my life went at City,” De Bruyne said, but his desire to compete in the Champions League and prove himself at the highest level drove him to choose Napoli over lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and MLS side Chicago Fire.
The rejection of Aston Villa and West Ham reflects De Bruyne’s respect for Manchester City, as he expressed reluctance to play for another English club. “I have to take care to make a decision that suits all of us, not just me,” he said, emphasizing his family’s role in the choice. Napoli’s offer, reportedly worth up to €25 million (£21 million) with a €10 million signing bonus and €5.5 million per season, plus performance-based add-ons, aligns with his ambition to stay in Europe. Under Antonio Conte, who once praised De Bruyne’s talent while at Chelsea, Napoli clinched the Serie A title in 2025, edging out Inter Milan with a 2-0 win over Cagliari, driven by McTominay and Lukaku. “We want Kevin De Bruyne, we want to sign him,” De Laurentiis declared, highlighting the club’s ambition to bolster their squad for a Champions League assault.
De Bruyne’s move to Naples could see him face Manchester City in next season’s Champions League, a prospect that adds intrigue to his departure. Pep Guardiola, visibly emotional, called De Bruyne “one of the greatest” and admitted, “When it’s not, because Kevin would have liked to stay and the club decides not to, it’s always difficult.” As City shift focus to younger talents like Morgan Gibbs-White and Florian Wirtz to replace their captain, De Bruyne’s legacy—marked by 103 goals and 170 assists in 389 appearances—remains untouchable. With Napoli’s passionate fanbase and a squad featuring former Premier League stars like Billy Gilmour, De Bruyne’s next chapter promises to blend his world-class creativity with Serie A’s tactical intensity, setting the stage for a dramatic new era in his illustrious career.
# Kevin De Bruyne’s Napoli Move Nears Completion
## A Legend’s Farewell
Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City’s iconic midfielder, is set to join Serie A champions Napoli, rejecting offers from Aston Villa and West Ham. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that De Bruyne’s lawyers are finalizing a three-year deal, with Napoli director Giovanni Manna stating, “We’ve been working on Kevin De Bruyne deal for months… and we’re now about to see the finish line.” The 33-year-old’s contract expires on June 30, 2025, ending a 10-year spell at City, where he won six Premier League titles and a Champions League.
## Snubbing Premier League Rivals
De Bruyne turned down “ambitious plays” from Villa and West Ham, prioritizing his respect for City. “I want to play good football,” he said, hinting at a Premier League stay with a coy “Maybe,” but ultimately chose Napoli. His decision reflects family considerations, as he noted, “I have to take care to make a decision that suits all of us, not just me.” Offers from Saudi Arabia and Chicago Fire were also declined.
## Napoli’s Allure
Napoli’s €25 million (£21 million) offer, including a €10 million signing bonus, lured De Bruyne, who has bought a house in Naples. “I’m told he’s already bought a beautiful house,” said president Aurelio De Laurentiis, adding, “Will he get to lift this cup too? Probably yes.” De Bruyne’s ties to the area, having married in Sorrento in 2017, and his friendship with Romelu Lukaku bolstered the move.
## A Trophy-Laden Legacy
De Bruyne’s City tenure, marked by 103 goals and 170 assists, ended with an emotional farewell. “Nothing about this is easy to write,” he wrote to fans. Pep Guardiola called him “one of the greatest,” lamenting, “When it’s not, because Kevin would have liked to stay and the club decides not to, it’s always difficult.” City will honor him with a statue.
## A New Chapter
Under Antonio Conte, Napoli clinched the 2025 Serie A title, with Scott McTominay and Lukaku starring. De Bruyne’s arrival could see him face City in the Champions League, blending his creativity with Serie A’s intensity. “We want Kevin De Bruyne,” De Laurentiis declared, as Napoli aim for European glory.
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