‘Kevin De Bruyne ready to stay in Premier League as Antonio Conte may leave Napoli’
Kevin De Bruyne’s move to Napoli has hit a stumbling block and the Belgian could be set to stay in the Premier League.
Following a decade in Manchester with the Sky Blues, De Bruyne will leave City this summer following the expiration of his contract.
The former Chelsea man had been on a reported £400,000-a-week [BBC Sport], making him the second highest player at the club behind only Erling Haaland who signed a record-setting deal earlier this year.
Whilst the Belgian maestro has suffered a series of injuries that have limited his game time in recent years, he remains one of the most talented players in the world with the ball at his feet.
Napoli looked primed to sign De Bruyne this summer, with Italy looking like the perfect destination for the ageing star.
But according to Miguel Delaney in The Independent, there could be a late twist in the 33-year-old’s move to Naples.
Kevin De Bruyne not ruling out Premier League move
As reported, De Bruyne is still deciding on his future. Napoli and Chicago Fire are the front-runners, but the midfielder has not ruled out a move to another Premier League club.
The midfielder had a 25-minute meeting with the Serie A champion’s owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis, but negotiations are not as advanced as some in Italy are reporting.
Napoli have made the most attractive offer so far, but their managerial situation is something De Bruyne is weighing up.
Having secured the Serie A title, there is said to be a feeling that former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte may return to Juventus this summer.
De Bruyne was apparently on the brink of joining Chicago before further interest arose, but he was “already having second thoughts”, as the midfielder feels once he leaves the top level of European football, he won’t be coming back.
Kevin De Bruyne could wreak havoc on Premier League by joining Liverpool
Football Insider Verdict
In what would likely be one of the most controversial transfers since Carlos Tevez left the red side of Manchester and became a Sky Blue, De Bruyne could join Liverpool this summer.
The Belgian likely only has a couple of years left in his legs in the Premier League, which is why joining the Reds will likely appeal to the former Wolfsburg man.
Arne Slot’s side have signalled their intent to go back-to-back with their upcoming deals for Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, and adding De Bruyne as an impact player would put both parties in pole position to make a habit out of winning.
What’s more, City’s decision to discard one of their greatest servants seems callous, and BBC Sport reported the 33-year-old was “surprised” at the lack of a contract offer.
The greatest athletes often find their greatest motivation in being doubted, and what better way to stick it to his biggest doubters than by joining their rivals and winning the Premier League title?