De Bruyne’s Future in Limbo as PSV Eindhoven Shows Interest
Kevin De Bruyne, 35, departed from Manchester City on a free transfer in the summer of 2025 after the club chose not to extend his contract, concluding a decade at the Etihad Stadium with impressive statistics of 108 goals in 422 appearances and 16 major trophies.
The Belgium international subsequently joined Napoli under the management of Antonio Conte. However, he suffered a hamstring injury during a match against Inter Milan in October 2025, sidelining him until March 2026. Reports indicated a strained relationship with the Italian throughout the season.
De Bruyne expressed relief at Conte’s departure from Napoli this summer, as Massimiliano Allegri took over. The midfielder is under contract until June 2027, with an option for an additional year.
In an interview with Belgian magazine NINA in September, De Bruyne’s wife, Michele, reflected on their family’s future amid his adjustments to Italian football.
“As a family, we often discuss our future and increasingly say, ‘We are going to live here in Limburg. The sooner we get here, the better,’” Michele shared, as quoted by Mail Sport.
“Kevin leads a very restricted life in Napoli. It’s not much fun for him. Plus, we can’t do anything together as a family in the city,” she added, comparing their current situation to their time in England, where they spent ten years in Manchester while De Bruyne played for City after transferring from VfL Wolfsburg in 2015.
Reflecting on living in England, she noted, “People had seen us so often that it wasn’t special anymore. We could walk out the door without a photo being taken. In Naples, that is impossible. At a certain point, football is no longer the priority. You have achieved everything, done everything. Why would you then turn your children’s lives upside down?”
Journalist Mounir Boualin reported that PSV Eindhoven is exploring the possibility of acquiring De Bruyne during the winter transfer window. Initial contact has already occurred between the midfielder and the Dutch club.
According to Boualin, discussions have progressed positively, although it remains uncertain how the situation will unfold ahead of the January window. Dutch outlet Eindhovens Dagblad also mentioned PSV’s interest but advised that a final agreement is still a considerable way off.
Reports from Italy have suggested tension between De Bruyne and some of his Napoli teammates, potentially hastening a winter exit as the club grapples with consistency in Serie A and European competitions this season.
In his debut season with Napoli, De Bruyne made 21 appearances and netted five goals, though an injury against Inter Milan cost him over four months of play during the 2025-26 season.
Meanwhile, Manchester City has revamped its midfield following De Bruyne’s departure, with summer signings including Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez, and Ayyoub Bouaddi, as Enzo Maresca took over from Pep Guardiola in June.
City will face Napoli at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League on November 24, having previously beaten Conte’s squad 2-0 in Manchester during last season’s league phase.
