Kevin De Bruyne close to Napoli move as Man City contract expires | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne is reportedly close to finalising a move to Napoli following his Manchester City departure at the end of the season.

The Belgian midfielder will become a free agent when his contract expires on 30 June and has been weighing up offers from several clubs.

Among them, Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire were thought to be serious contenders. However, Napoli have emerged as frontrunners and are now expected to secure his signature.

Reports in Italy indicate the 33-year-old is nearing agreement on a three-year deal with the Serie A champions.

The contract would reportedly pay €6 million per year for the first two seasons, dropping to €5 million in the third. De Bruyne is also set to receive a €10 million signing-on bonus due to his free-agent status.

The salary package represents a major reduction from his Manchester City wages, where he earned around £400,000 per week. Yet the move appears to be driven by footballing and personal reasons rather than finances.

Sources close to the player say De Bruyne is eager to prove he can still perform at the highest level in European football. Lifestyle considerations have also influenced his decision, with his wedding having taken place in Sorrento, near Naples.

Although De Bruyne admitted earlier this month that leaving City was not entirely his choice, he now seems focused on the next chapter. He received an emotional farewell from supporters after his final home appearance in City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth.

De Bruyne is set to play his final match for the club on Sunday, when City visit Fulham in their last game of the season. A point would guarantee Champions League football for next season, a goal the veteran playmaker has stressed as vital.

An official announcement of the Napoli deal is expected in the days following the Premier League finale. Various sources report that only final details remain before the move is made public.

Napoli, who secured the Serie A title last night for the second time in three years, are preparing for another Champions League campaign. With Antonio Conte expected to take charge, De Bruyne’s arrival would signal an ambitious new era at the club.

After nearly a decade of success in Manchester, the Belgian maestro appears ready for a fresh challenge on the Italian coast.