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| Photo credit: Kevin De Bruyne — Napoli Midfielder |
Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has firmly dismissed speculation that he sought a move away from the Serie A club during the summer transfer window.
Speaking at a Belgium national team press conference on Tuesday, the 35-year-old former Manchester City star addressed reports linking him with an exit after a difficult first season in Italy.
“No, I have not really spoken to anyone about it [trying to leave Napoli],” De Bruyne told reporters. “I just enjoyed my holidays and went straight back to Naples.”
Background to the rumours
De Bruyne joined Napoli on a free transfer from Manchester City in June 2025 after his contract at the Etihad expired. The Belgian international signed a deal until June 2027 (with an option for a further year) and was expected to bring creativity to Antonio Conte’s side. skysports.com
His debut campaign proved challenging. A serious thigh injury in October kept him out until early March, limiting him to 21 appearances, five goals and four assists. Beyond the fitness issues, De Bruyne later publicly expressed frustration with Conte’s defensive tactical approach. He stated that he rarely played in his preferred position and that the style of play lacked the entertainment he values. He also indicated he wanted talks about the club’s direction after Conte’s departure. goal.com
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Those comments, made around the time of the 2026 World Cup, fuelled summer speculation about his future. Reports linked him with possible moves, including interest from clubs such as Galatasaray, while questions lingered over whether he would remain in Naples under new manager Massimiliano Allegri.
De Bruyne’s latest remarks put those rumours to rest. He emphasised that he returned to training without pursuing any exit and has been encouraged by his early fitness levels this season.
Current situation at Napoli
Napoli have made a slow start to the 2026-27 Serie A campaign. De Bruyne has featured regularly and has spoken positively about his form, noting he was “pleasantly surprised” by his condition as early as August. Under Allegri, he appears to be settling into a more influential role, with the new coach praising his vision and ability to see opportunities others miss.
The midfielder has also reaffirmed his commitment to the Belgium national team under Mark van Bommel, saying teammates encouraged him to continue and that he feels good both mentally and physically.
Why this matters
De Bruyne remains one of the most decorated and creative midfielders of his generation. After a trophy-laden decade at Manchester City (including multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League), his move to Napoli represented a new challenge in Serie A. Clearing the air on transfer speculation allows focus to shift back to on-pitch performances as Napoli look to improve their league standing and as De Bruyne continues his international career.
His message is straightforward: the summer was for rest, not transfer talks, and he is fully focused on life in Naples.
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