Kevin De Bruyne has already bought “a beautiful villa” in Italy ahead of his proposed switch to Napoli, according to Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis. Newly crowned Italian champions Napoli held a parade on Monday to celebrate the club’s second Serie A title in three years.
As reported by the Daily Mail, De Laurentiis spoke to Italian broadcaster RAI during the parade, revealing that he had spoken to De Bruyne in the morning and that the player had already sorted a few personal details ahead of the proposed move.
“Will he get to lift this cup too? Probably yes,” he said.
“I know that he’s sorted a few things already and I believe he’s already bought a beautiful villa.”
“This morning I was on a video call with him, his wife and his nine-year-old son and it was a beautiful sight.”
De Laurentiis stopped short of claiming that his comments could be seen as official confirmation of the transfer. When asked, he responded: “Not yet. Until it’s in black and white, there will be no confirmation.”
Napoli leading De Bruyne race
Napoli appears to have won the race for the player’s signature, with De Bruyne also heavily linked to MLS sides Chicago Fire and Inter Miami. Aston Villa have also been linked with a surprise swoop, as well as a handful of Saudi Pro League clubs.
De Bruyne when announcing his departure from City stated that he still feels he can perform at the top level and signaled his intent to compete for important trophies. He also mentioned that his family would play a crucial role in deciding his next club, and given the fact that he married his wife Michele Lacroix in Naples in 2017, it appears Napoli has ticked all the boxes.
Financial details could certainly play a part as well, and Italian outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport has reported that Napoli has offered De Bruyne a lucrative two-year contract with an option to extend for a further season. This deal could see him earn up to €25million (£21m) – after an initial €10m (£8m) signing bonus and €5.5m (£4.6m) per season with performance-based add-ons.
He would be joining former Premier League rivals Scott McTominay, Frank Anguissa, Philip Billing, Billy Gilmour, and Romelu Lukaku – who is of course is also his international teammate with Belgium.
Napoli is managed by another former Premier League rival in Antonio Conte. The then Chelsea manager once praised De Bruyne as a “complete player” following his side’s 1-0 loss to Man City in September of 2017 in which De Bruyne scored the goal and dominated the match.
The two could now be set to join forces.
