- Kevin De Bruyne will leave Manchester City at the end of the current campaign
- The Belgian maestro is reportedly of interest to clubs from across the world
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Kevin De Bruyne’s future is something of a hot topic in the transfer market, with the Man City talisman leaving the Etihad this summer, though his wife may have given a huge clue to his next destination.
The Belgian will bring an end to his decade at Man City at the end of the season, after being told by director of football Txiki Begiristain and CEO Ferran Soriano that his contract would not be renewed.
De Bruyne has expressed his desire to continue competing at the top level and will consider what is best for his family, and has already been linked with a number of clubs, including some in the Premier League.
Aston Villa have been revealed as a potential destination, and De Bruyne has also been linked with a move to the MLS, with Chicago Fire having the priority option for the star.
However reports emerged earlier this week that his representatives had held talks with Italian giants Napoli.
Furthermore, a report from Belgian Dutch-language outlet HLN has indicated that De Bruyne’s wife, Michel Lacroix, has been spotted in Napoli, where she is believed to have been house-hunting.
Kevin De Bruyne’s representatives have reportedly been contacted by Napoli over a move
De Bruyne’s wife, Michele, has reportedly been spotted house-hunting in the Italian city
The couple have ties to the area surrounding Napoli having been married in Sorrento in 2017
The De Bruynes in fact have a tie to the area, having been married in Sorrento, a peninsula town a little further down the Gulf of Naples coast.
Moreover, De Bruyne’s close friend Romelu Lukaku is currently on the books at Napoli, as they chase a second Serie A title in three years.
The two have starred for the Belgian national team for many years, and briefly lived together at Chelsea, and are part of the same agency, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports.
Napoli are reportedly hopeful De Bruyne’s friendship with fellow Belgian international Lukaku could help persuade the midfielder to join the club.
Lukaku is Napoli’s joint top scorer this season having netted 12 times in all competitions.
Furthermore, former Belgian team-mate Dries Mertens is set to become an honorary citizen of Napoli next month after spending nine years at the club, and retains a residence on the coast with his partner Kat Kerkhofs. The couple were guests at the De Bruynes’ wedding back in 2017.
De Bruyne has expressed his desire to continue competing at the top level and will consider what is best for his family.
‘Honestly, I still think I can perform at this level like I’m showing but I understand that clubs have to make decisions,’ De Bruyne said last month.
Dries Mertens will become an honorary citizen of Napoli later this year after his nine-year stint
Napoli reportedly hope De Bruyne’s friendship with Romelu Lukaku helps to seal a deal
Antonio Conte’s side could offer De Bruyne’s Champions League football next season
‘I’m open for anything (next) because I have to look at the whole picture. I’m looking at sporting reasons, family and everything together and what makes the most sense for me and my family.
‘I still feel like I can play at a good level, but after I’ll have to make a decision once I really know a little bit more.’
The 33-year-old is also understood to have interest from the Saudi Pro League.
Despite suffering from injuries this season, De Bruyne has made 36 appearances in all competitions for Man City, scoring six goals and providing eight assists.
During his time at Man City, De Bruyne has won six Premier League titles, the Champions League and five League Cups.
He could sign off from the club with a third FA Cup with Man City facing Crystal Palace in the final on May 17.
