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Kevin De Bruyne could make a return to the Premier League in the winter transfer window, with Everton reportedly considering a move for the Napoli midfielder, according to Calciomercato.
The 35-year-old Belgian international has a contract running until June 2027, but mounting friction in Italy could prompt an early departure from Naples. According to Calciomercato, the Premier League club has already initiated preliminary contact with the player’s representatives to gauge the viability of a January transfer.
De Bruyne spent ten successful years at Manchester City, where he accumulated 19 trophies, 422 appearances, 108 goals, and 177 assists before joining Napoli on a free transfer following the conclusion of the 2024–2025 season. Calciomercato also points to a mental decline for the playmaker.
Life in Serie A has proved turbulent for the veteran playmaker. Foot Mercato reported that Napoli is weighing a potential departure as the club looks to refresh its squad and reduce its annual salary bill by €6m. FootNews.BE noted that tensions have surfaced within the Partenopei dressing room, highlighted by a reported pitchside dispute with Lorenzo Lucca during a UEFA Champions League fixture against Porto, alongside past friction involving Rasmus Hojlund and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
Last month, former Napoli forward Roberto Carlos Sosa remarked that the spark never truly ignited between De Bruyne and the club. The player had previously recognized difficulties with Antonio Conte last season and hoped for a better relationship with Massimiliano Allegri.
🇮🇹 From Italy: Everton approach to assess ‘real chances’ of signing Kevin De Bruyne in January https://t.co/O6wenpXiJw #efc #coyb
Should a move to Goodison Park materialize, De Bruyne would offer manager David Moyes multiple tactical options. He could operate deeper in midfield alongside James Garner or Harrison Armstrong, push higher as a traditional number 10 (though Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has established himself there), or provide experienced depth on the right flank, where he could compete with Brennan Johnson, Tyler Dibling, and Merlin Röhl.
However, any potential suitor must provide assurances regarding regular playing time. For the transfer to proceed, Napoli must agree to a mid-season release, though it remains undetermined whether the Italian club will demand a transfer fee for a player with only six months remaining on his deal.
Negotiations remain exploratory as the winter transfer window approaches, with discussions dependent on Napoli’s willingness to sanction an early exit and De Bruyne’s valuation. Further developments are expected as clubs finalize their January squad additions.
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