Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne celebrates
Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne celebrates
Everton would struggle to make up the wages required in a potential move for Kevin De Bruyne, sources have told Football Insider.
Reports in Italy have tipped the Toffees to move for the 35-year-old, who left Manchester City for Napoli in 2025.
The Belgian, who has scored four goals in 15 appearances for Napoli this season, will be out of contract next summer if the option for an additional year is not activated.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, however, De Bruyne is on a significant contract in Italy and would likely expect similar wages.
The midfielder spent a decade in the Premier League with Man City, making nearly 300 appearances and directly contributing to nearly 200 goals in the top flight.
Everton have enjoyed a strong start to the season under David Moyes, who will hope to see ambition in the January transfer window.
Kevin De Bruyne return would be a big surprise
De Bruyne struggled with injuries for much of last season, spending around four months sidelined with a hamstring problem.
Similar issues plagued the midfielder's final two seasons at Man City, with decision-makers eventually deciding to let him depart.
But De Bruyne appears to have turned over a new leaf this season, starring for both Napoli and Belgium and fuelling rumours of a potential return to the Premier League.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "I think it would be a big surprise to see Kevin De Bruyne return to the Premier League.
"I’m sure there would be clubs who would be interested if there was any possibility that the player was up for a return to the Premier League.
"If it was Everton or somebody else, think the issue here would probably be the wages that would be needed to try and sign Kevin De Bruyne.
"He’s on a pretty big deal at Napoli as well, so that might rule out a few clubs from making a move for De Bruyne. He's going into the final year of his contract at Napoli, but I think they have an option to extend it."
De Bruyne has not ruled out Everton move
Upon leaving Man City last year, De Bruyne declared that he would be a Citizen for life.
But speaking in April 2025, he would not rule out a move that kept him in the Premier League.
"Honestly I don’t know,” he said. “The decision to leave has not been long.
"I have to speak to them and then I will see whichever team wants me. So I don’t know. I have no idea”