Kevin De Bruyne faces an unexpected exit from Naples as club management weighs offers for the 35-year-old midfielder amid mounting dressing-room friction, DHnet reported.
The Belgian playmaker arrived with high expectations but currently commands an annual salary of 6 million euros while his contract runs until June, creating a financial and tactical dilemma for the Italian club.
Transfer market analysts note that because De Bruyne's contract expires at the end of the current season, interested clubs have little incentive to pay a high transfer fee this winter when he could become available as a free agent in June, according to rtl.be.
According to Ekrem Konur, the direction of Naples is ready to evaluate offers for the 35-year-old Red Devil, and the situation is being followed closely as clubs could try to position themselves this winter.
Naples officials acknowledge they will secure minimal financial return if they sell the veteran midfielder midway through the campaign, though cutting six months of his substantial wages remains a motivating factor for a squad seeking to rejuvenate its roster, Foot Mercato reported.
Naples knows they will not get crazy sums for him and could allow themselves to keep a player who is important to the game’s balance for the next six months, while interested clubs know he can negotiate freely with anyone starting in January without a conflicting open relationship existing between De Bruyne and his management, as noted by rtl.be.
On-field integration has proved difficult for the former Manchester City star, who clashed with teammate Lorenzo Lucca during a UEFA Champions League fixture against Porto, as detailed by Foot Mercato.
The dispute with his teammate Lorenzo Lucca in the middle of the Champions League match against Porto was captured by broadcast images during the game, while 300 ultras gathered in front of the team’s hotel with the chant: Que ceux qui ne s’en sentent pas capables s’en aillent
, according to Eurosport.
Additional reports from Il Mattino indicate that De Bruyne has experienced strained relationships with striker Rasmus Hojlund and team captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, contributing to an atmosphere where his continuation in southern Italy appears increasingly tenuous.
Further friction arose when De Bruyne boarded a private jet to leave immediately following a Serie A match against Lazio, a departure that drew internal disapproval from club leadership, Walfoot.be reported.
Following two consecutive defeats and a growing pressure on the shoulders of Max Allegri, Naples saved the furniture against Serie A leader Lazio Rome by snatching a 1-1 home draw, which was enough to keep the Italian technician in his position after the match where the Belgian was a starter, as reported by Foot Mercato.
Despite contributing four goals and four Champions League starts, the midfielder has struggled to find consistent harmony under successive managers, having previously acknowledged difficulties adapting to former boss Antonio Conte before encountering similar friction under Max Allegri.
Naples is considering an amicable and early separation, with the direction envisaging an early exit during the winter transfer window to save his annual salary of 6 million euros and address the desire to rejuvenate the squad, according to Il Mattino and Foot Mercato.
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