Everton have contacted the representatives of Kevin De Bruyne to plan a January move for the Napoli midfielder.
The 35-year-old playmaker is under contract with the Serie A club until June 2027. Everton explore a move during the winter window. De Bruyne joined Napoli as a free agent in the summer of 2025. He spent a decade at Manchester City. He made 422 appearances, scored 108 goals, and registered 177 assists. He won 19 trophies, including six Premier League titles.
The Belgian international was part of a treble-winning 2022/23 season. His career in the English top flight includes 288 appearances and nearly 200 goal involvements. He sits 43 Premier League assists behind all-time leader Ryan Giggs. Following his exit from the Etihad Stadium, his debut campaign in Italy was interrupted by injury. He managed 16 starts across all competitions, scoring five goals and providing four assists in 21 appearances.
The veteran midfielder has played in all 15 matches across Serie A and the Champions League this term, contributing four goals and two assists. In Italian league play, he has made 11 appearances with six starts, scoring four goals and adding one assist.
His statistics feature 36 chances created, more than any of his Napoli teammates. He recorded 297 passes into the final third, 12 completed through balls, and 51 ball recoveries. Recent outings included starting in a 1-1 draw against Lazio.
Everton Target De Bruyne in January
Calciomercato reported that Everton begin talks for shock Kevin De Bruyne move, but sources indicate any potential deal faces obstacles. Calciomercato described him as going through a “mental decline.” Former Napoli striker Roberto Carlos Sosa said last month that the “spark never really ignited” between the player and the Naples outfit.
Il Mattino and Goal highlighted dressing room tensions between the Belgian and some of his Napoli teammates. His future remains uncertain despite efforts from manager Massimiliano Allegri to make him feel accommodated in Naples. Napoli holds an option to extend his contract by another year until 2027.
Everton Pursue Midfield Additions
Manager David Moyes has guided Everton to sixth place in the Premier League table with 17 points. They sit level on points with Chelsea and two points behind Liverpool in fourth place. The Toffees are into the last eight of the Carabao Cup, where Fleetwood Town await.
The addition of a creative midfielder could add options for an attack relying on striker Thierno Barry. Barry has reached 10 goals for the season following a double against Coventry City. Everton linked with shock Kevin De Bruyne move face competition from PSV Eindhoven. PSV have registered concrete interest and held positive exploratory discussions with the player’s camp regarding a winter transfer.
Striker Beto was sold over the summer without a direct replacement, leaving Barry as the sole recognized number nine at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The failure to replace right-back Seamus Coleman following his retirement has resulted in midfielder Merlin Rohl filling the role this term.
Loanee Jack Grealish has seen his future placed in doubt after being dropped by David Moyes for breaching club disciplinary rules by skipping training. Expectations are that his loan spell from Manchester City could be curtailed in January. Should De Bruyne arrive, he could feature in a deeper midfield position alongside James Garner or Harrison Armstrong, or operate further forward.
De Bruyne has contributed four goals and two assists in 15 appearances across Serie A and the Champions League this term.
