Everton weigh January gamble on De Bruyne amid solid November form

Everton Sound the alarm as they contemplate a January swoop for a former City playmaker. Ex‑City Playmaker Should They Chase Him is the question echoing through Goodison Park. The Toffees sit sixth in the Premier League after ten games, having collected sixteen points.

David Moyes’ side secured a 1‑0 victory at Newcastle and a 3‑1 home win over Coventry City within a week. Those results have propelled them into a demanding November that looks better than many expected.

Thierno Barry leads the scoring with six league goals. Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall, who netted against Coventry, continues to drive the attack from midfield.

Everton have scored twelve league goals in ten matches, a modest return. Moyes said before the Coventry game that he has no plans for January.

Jack Grealish’s loan is set to end early when the window opens, which would strip Moyes of his most inventive passer. Reports suggest the early termination could leave the Toffees without their creative fulcrum mid‑season. Everton are linked with a January chase for De Bruyne.

De Bruyne link emerges from Italy

Italian outlet, cited by Sport Witness, claims Everton are considering a sensational January move for Kevin De Bruyne. The 35‑year‑old Belgian joined Napoli on a free transfer from Manchester City in June 2025.

The report says Everton have made initial contact with his representatives to test the chance of a deal, and that De Bruyne would welcome a Premier League return. De Bruyne’s contract runs to June 2027, meaning Napoli could refuse to sell mid‑season and push talks to the summer.

Assessment of the potential signing

Napoli sit tenth in Serie A and lost 4‑1 at Porto last Wednesday, with Il Mattino reporting dressing‑room tension involving De Bruyne. His wage of about £5 million a year is the highest at the club, which could soften Napoli’s stance.

Analysts argue that pursuing De Bruyne in January is not a priority, as his four goals in eleven Serie A games show quality but his age makes him unsuited to Moyes’ pressing demands. Any fee plus that wage for a deal ending in 2027 would buy a specialist rather than a replacement for Grealish.

Everton would be better served by finding a younger creator who fits their system, especially as Dewsbury‑Hall already carries much of the creative load. The club’s defensive solidity, with only ten league goals conceded, underscores the importance of balancing creativity with pressing intensity.