Napoli president shares update on Kevin De Bruyne’s imminent move

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed Kevin de Bruyne has already bought a villa in Italy, ahead of his expected move to the newly crowned Italian champions.

De Bruyne made his final Premier League appearance for Manchester City at Fulham on Sunday after a glittering 10-year spell, having won six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

The 33-year-old had revealed last month that Man City, who will honour him with a statue, would not be renewing his contract.

Napoli have been open about their interest in signing De Bruyne this summer ahead of their return to the Champions League.

The Italian giants held a parade on Monday to celebrate clinching their second Serie A title in three years, spear-headed by former Premier League favourites Scott McTominay, Romelu Lukaku and Antonio Conte.

Kevin De Bruyne will leave Manchester City this summer. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images)

During the parade, De Laurentiis revealed he had spoken to De Bruyne in the morning ahead of his expected move and said the Belgian has already bought a villa in Italy.

‘Will he get to lift this cup too? Probably yes,’ De Laurentiis told Italian broadcaster RAI.

‘I know that he’s sorted a few things already and I believe he’s already bought a beautiful villa.

‘This morning I was on a video call with him, his wife and his nine-year-old son and it was a beautiful sight.’

When asked if his comments could be considered as confirmation of De Bruyne’s arrival, De Laurentiis responded ‘Not yet. Until it’s in black and white, there will be no confirmation.’

De Bruyne’s wife Michele Lacroix, who he married in Naples in 2017, was reported to have then visited the city recently to search for apartments.

Reports suggested Napoli, who look to have seen off MLS side Chicago Fire to sign De Bruyne, had offered him a two-year contract with an option to extend for a further season.

It is also reported that De Bruyne could earn up to €25million (£21m) from the deal.