‘Kevin De Bruyne misses expected Napoli medical for Man City exit’
Kevin De Bruyne left Napoli’s club doctors hanging by missing an expected medical ahead of his official Man City exit.
After a decade wearing Sky Blue in the Premier League, the Belgian maestro is expected to move to Naples and don the same colours for the Serie A champions.
De Bruyne’s departure from City came as a shock to many, not least to the 33-year-old, who said he was “a bit surprised” not to receive a contract offer from the club [BBC Sport].
The dethroned Premier League champions find themselves in a crisis, needing to overhaul an ageing squad whilst the spectre of the 115 charges levied against them seemingly has no conclusion in sight.
De Bruyne’s reported wages of £400,000-a-week [BBC Sport] made him the club’s second-highest earner behind Erling Haaland, who signed a record-setting contract earlier in the season.
But whilst a move to Napoli seems all but done, the 33-year-old did not attend a planned medical visit in Italy on Monday (2 June).
Kevin De Bruyne chooses to focus on Belgium national team
According to Sky Sports Switzerland’s Sacha Tavolieri, De Bruyne‘s planned medical visit did not happen, even though Napoli’s club doctors were expecting the midfielder to attend.
However, this was said to be simply a result of the 33-year-old prioritising his national team duties, with Belgium set to face North Macedonia and Wales in their World Cup qualifying matches on 6 June and 9 June.
The decision was accepted by the club and “the agreements are in place” for De Bruyne to make his move to Napoli after the international break.
Kevin De Bruyne set to form lethal duo with Romelu Lukaku
Football Insider Verdict
According to RAI TV journalist Aurelio Capaldi on the Transfers Podcast, Romelu Lukaku’s relationship with De Bruyne was a factor in bringing the midfielder to Naples.
Whilst they may be friendly off the pitch, the pair have all the tools to create devastation in the Serie A next season.
Napoli’s style of play this season did not lend itself too strongly to Lukaku being the teams main source of goals.
Antonio Conte’s midfield trio of Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa are not world-class playmakers, but instead thrive as box-crashing goal-getters.
As such, the 32-year-old striker actually found a lot of joy as a provider, setting up 10 goals for his teammates.
But with his Belgium teammate De Bruyne set to join, the 33-year-old’s lethal delivery will lend itself to the former Man United striker once again challenging for the Serie A’s golden boot, Haaland’s loss is clearly Lukaku’s gain.