Napoli made serious attempts to sign Neymar before landing De Bruyne | OneFootball

Reports in Italy claim that Napoli made ‘serious’ attempts to sign Brazil legend Neymar before landing on Kevin De Bruyne earlier this year.

Gazzetta: Genuine Napoli attempts to sign Neymar

According to Wednesday’s reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli had made genuine plans to strike a deal for Neymar, who had been available as a free agent at the beginning of the year.

According to the Gazzetta reconstruction, it was around that time that Napoli began to consider a potential deal for the former Barcelona and PSG star. Neymar had been under contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, but terminated that deal at the end of January before ultimately returning to his boyhood club, Santos.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 17: Neymar of Santos gestures during a Brasileirao 2025 match between Santos and Vasco da Gama at MorumBIS Stadium on August 17, 2025 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)

Napoli, who were halfway through their Scudetto-winning campaign in January, had been planning to bring in a household name to bolster Antonio Conte’s squad for 2025-26.

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, sporting director Giovanni Manna and head coach Conte had all been onboard with the idea of signing Neymar.

That was, however, until the opportunity to sign De Bruyne arose.

NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 01: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli battles for possession with Francisco Trincao of Sporting Clube de Portugal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between SSC Napoli and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 01, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

In the end, Napoli were able to agree terms with De Bruyne, who was available on a free transfer after the end of his 10-year spell in the Premier League with Manchester City.

The 34-year-old has started in five out of six Serie A matches this season, providing three goals in the process, and has already laid on two assists from his two appearances in the Champions League this term.