De Bruyne’s Potential Move and Concerns
In the wake of the FA Cup final, Kevin De Bruyne opened up about his decision to potentially skip joining Manchester City for the Club World Cup, largely out of concern about sustaining an injury that could complicate his next career move. Months prior, he had been deliberating on a transfer, weighing offers from Chicago Fire and Napoli as the negotiations unfolded. Following the announcement of his departure from City, several clubs reached out to him — including Juventus, who casually inquired, and Inter Miami, which struggled to make room on their roster, with even a brief dialogue occurring with Liverpool. However, the most viable offers came with unique circumstances.
Farewells and Negotiations
De Bruyne held a farewell gathering shortly after the cup final, leading many teammates to speculate that Napoli was his likely destination. Shortly thereafter, Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, boasted about having communicated with the player, even claiming that De Bruyne had scoped out housing in the region. Nevertheless, sources close to the midfielder refute this, suggesting that De Laurentiis’ premature comments may have hindered negotiations more than helped them.
Chicago Fire vs. Napoli
At various points, Chicago Fire seemed a more appealing choice for De Bruyne, excited by the prospect of relocating to an iconic sports city. Ultimately, however, Napoli gained an edge, with key Serie A club figures like Romelu Lukaku further persuading De Bruyne to consider their offer seriously. While historical significance was enticing, practical realities influenced De Bruyne’s choice, particularly the allure of Champions League competition and a chance to work with Antonio Conte — a motivating factor given his desire to prove City wrong for letting him go.
Emotional Departure
On April 4, De Bruyne shared the news of his departure from City through an emotional Instagram post. Having sensed a lack of forthcoming communication from the club regarding a new contract, this revelation didn’t come as a surprise, yet it still hit him hard. With his family vacationing and absent from home, he expressed relief in finally announcing his transition, having taken considerable time to process his emotions.
City’s Response and Future Prospects
As De Bruyne prepared for his final appearances with City — including a standout game against Crystal Palace — the relationship between him and the club’s management had grown strained. Yet, in response, City shifted into high gear to ensure he felt valued before leaving. This included chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak labeling him the club’s greatest player and unveiling a mosaic dedicated to him at the training ground. Additionally, plans for a statue in his honor were kept under wraps until his bittersweet farewell at the Etihad.
Considerations Beyond the Premier League
Though initially hoping to remain in the North West of England — where his family had settled, with their children born in Manchester — discussions of a possible move within the Premier League surfaced, particularly with Liverpool. Despite some dialogues, Liverpool’s focus remained on securing players like Florian Wirtz, leading to uncertainty about De Bruyne’s role should he have joined.
Meanwhile, multiple clubs from around the world expressed interest, although few were viewed as genuine contenders. Juventus indicated a future possibility pending player sales, but failed to present a definitive proposal. Turkish club Galatasaray expressed interest as well, but went no further.
Family Priorities and MLS Talks
Despite links to Saudi Arabia due to connections with sporting director Michael Emenalo, no substantial offers were pursued, especially as De Bruyne prioritized family considerations such as living arrangements and schooling for his children. Hence, any proposition from Saudi Arabia fell flat due to a lack of thorough planning from their side.
Amidst these options, De Bruyne was intrigued by a potential transition to Major League Soccer, with Chicago Fire entering serious talks in anticipation of his departure from City. Chicago’s ambition was reflected in their investments, including a new training facility and plans for a state-of-the-art stadium. Interestingly, the financial terms proposed were comparable to those from Napoli — around $20 million over two years — with extra commercial opportunities available to De Bruyne in the U.S.
De Bruyne was also impressed by Chicago’s coaching structure under Gregg Berhalter, who received offers from various clubs but chose the Fire for the potential empowerment offered in his role. Despite the chilly winters, he was open to the lifestyle changes and considered options for summers in Europe. However, following news that Conte might leave Napoli after a title win, De Bruyne’s attitude began to shift again, reflecting anxiety about upcoming competition in Serie A.
Final Decision
Ultimately, playing in the coveted Champions League and his conversations with Napoli officials tilted the scale in their favor. His chat with De Laurentiis was among the first instances of direct discussion between the two, with the sporting director having already conducted most early talks that impressed De Bruyne.
Encouragement from international teammates, including Lukaku, who had joined Napoli, and memories from his wedding in Sorrento, made the Italian club an attractive prospect. As the commitment to Napoli solidified, De Bruyne personally informed Chicago’s management of his decision. City, now prepping for the Club World Cup, swiftly shifted gears while De Bruyne anticipated the upcoming season with his new squad, ultimately leaving room for a potential Champions League matchup in the year ahead.
