Kevin De Bruyne faces an uncertain future at Napoli as his wife, Michele, reveals the family’s desire to return to Belgium amid a turbulent stint in Italy.
- Transfer Speculation: Links to Everton, PSV Eindhoven, and potential MLS moves highlight declining certainty over his remaining months in Serie A.
- Restricted minutes under Massimiliano Allegri and past clashes with Antonio Conte limit his reliability for fantasy managers.
Kevin De Bruyne’s time in Italy has not gone to plan, with talkSPORT reporting that his wife, Michele, has heavily hinted at an early exit from Naples. The Manchester City legend moved to Serie A in 2025 following a decade in England, contributing nine goals and six assists across 36 appearances for Napoli.
Fitness issues and tactical disagreements have severely restricted his impact on the pitch. Last season, hamstring injuries limited him to just 18 league appearances as Napoli currently sit a lowly 10th in the Serie A table under manager Max Allegri.
Tensions reached a boiling point in October during a Champions League defeat to Villarreal when reports surfaced of a tactical disagreement between De Bruyne and Allegri.
Life off the pitch has proved equally challenging for the family in Naples. Speaking to Belgian magazine NINA in September, Michele De Bruyne revealed that a return to their homeland is frequently discussed.
“Of course, we think about the future together. And increasingly often, we say to each other, ‘We are going to live here in Limburg. The sooner we get here, the better,’” Michele told NINA.
“Kevin leads a very restricted life in Napoli,” Michele De Bruyne added, contrasting it with the relative anonymity they enjoyed in Manchester. Liverpool Echo said that the family found simple outings impossible in Naples compared to their time in England.
“At a certain point, football is no longer the priority,” Michele told NINA. You have achieved everything, done everything. Why would you then turn your children’s lives upside down, Michele told NINA.
| Metric / Detail | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Napoli Appearances | 36 |
| Market Value (Transfermarkt) | €8 million |
De Bruyne’s relationship with former manager Antonio Conte was notably strained before the Italian’s departure by mutual consent in the summer. Speaking ahead of the World Cup, De Bruyne admitted his frustration with the defensive 4-5-1 setup under Conte.
“Obviously it was difficult for me because Conte has a very different vision of football to mine. In truth, I never had the opportunity to play in my preferred position,” De Bruyne told talkSPORT. De Bruyne
Complete Sports reported that Belgium national team manager Mark van Bommel urged De Bruyne to consider a move to the Dutch Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven. Meanwhile, Everton News noted links connecting the midfielder with a potential January switch to Goodison Park.
Reflecting on the ongoing speculation during international duty, De Bruyne addressed reporters after a Nations League match. Goal.com reported his reaction to the intense media attention:
“When I got up this morning, I saw that a lot of people had sent me something. Right now I’m here and just doing my job. I’m having a good season and I’m happy that I’m fit enough to help the team and can play matches. Whatever happens, happens,” De Bruyne said.
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