The next chapter of Kevin De Bruyne’s career is set to take place in Napoli.
The Man City legend is leaving the Manchester club after 10 years this summer, as the Premier League side decided not to offer the Belgian a new deal once his current contract expires.
De Bruyne has decided to continue his career at Napoli as the 33-year-old was keen to continue his story in Europe, with the Man City star turning down the chance to play in MLS with Chicago Fire.
Throughout the end of the 2024/25 season, De Bruyne refused to rule out staying in the Premier League, which led to the midfielder being linked with a move to Liverpool, as the Reds were the club the Belgian supported as a boy.
Two Premier League clubs did make an attempt to sign the City legend, but they could not convince the 33-year-old to stay in England.
Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images
West Ham made a move for Kevin De Bruyne
It was reported in April that Aston Villa held discussions about signing De Bruyne this summer, however, the Birmingham club didn’t make a move for the Belgian.
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It is now being reported by talkSPORT that Villa were not the only Premier League club to show interest in the Man City star, as West Ham attempted to keep the 33-year-old in England before he opted to join Napoli.
The report states that the Hammers made an ambitious play for De Bruyne as the London club made contact with the Man City captain to see if he would be interested in making the move to the Irons.
However, it seems the West Ham project did not intrigue the midfielder enough to remain in the Premier League, although the switch might have been one that suited the Belgian superstar.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
How Kevin De Bruyne would have fit in at West Ham
A move to West Ham would have allowed De Bruyne to join a Premier League club that has plans to fight at the top end of the table in the near future, while also providing the Belgian with the chance to live in London.
However, it seems the midfielder wanted to join a club that is already set to win, and Napoli ticks that box, while also giving the Man City captain the chance to play in the Champions League again.
De Bruyne would have fit in nicely at West Ham, as Graham Potter wants his team to have plenty of possession, and there would have been a place for the Belgian in the number 10 role in the Hammers’ team.
Potter has been playing with two up front in recent weeks, and the 33-year-old would have had success providing passes for Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus.
However, that was not meant to be, as it remains to be seen how De Bruyne improves Napoli, as the Italian champions look to kick on from winning Serie A this season.