"We want De Bruyne," Napoli president confirms interest in signing Belgian midfielder

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has publicly confirmed the club's interest in signing Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

Speaking to Il Mattino, De Laurentiis expressed his admiration for the player, stating, "We want Kevin De Bruyne, we want to sign him." However, he emphasized that the deal ultimately depends on De Bruyne’s approval, highlighting the necessity of mutual agreement in finalizing the transfer.

De Bruyne is set to leave Manchester City when his contract expires on June 30, making him a free agent. Over the past few weeks, he has been evaluating offers from multiple clubs, including MLS side Chicago Fire, but Napoli has now emerged as the leading contender. Reports suggest the player is close to agreeing on a three-year deal with the Serie A champions.

The proposed contract includes a salary of six million euros per year for the first two seasons, followed by five million euros in the third. Additionally, De Bruyne would receive a ten-million-euro signing-on bonus due to his free-agent status. This represents a significant decrease from his earnings at Manchester City, where he reportedly made around four hundred thousand pounds per week. Nevertheless, sources indicate that De Bruyne’s decision is motivated more by footballing and personal reasons than financial ones.

Napoli, fresh off their Serie A title victory, is preparing for another campaign in the Champions League, with Antonio Conte expected to take charge. The club views De Bruyne’s potential arrival as a statement of intent for their future ambitions. The Belgian playmaker is eager to prove that he can still perform at the highest level in European football, and his personal connection to the city—having married in Sorrento, near Naples—has reportedly played a role in his decision.

An official announcement regarding the deal is expected soon after the conclusion of the Premier League season.