January doubts cloud Kevin De Bruyne’s Napoli future

Kevin De Bruyne’s future at SSC Napoli hangs in the balance, with local reports in Italy suggesting the 35‑year‑old Belgian could be forced out as early as the January transfer window after starting every one of Napoli’s first 11 Serie A games this season.

Kevin De Bruyne faces an uncertain club future with Napoli, with local reports suggesting a possible departure as early as January. Il Mattino reported the possibility of a January exit for De Bruyne. De Bruyne has been at Napoli for almost 18 months, having joined on a free transfer after his Manchester City contract ended in the summer of 2025.

The 35‑year‑old has started all 11 of Napoli’s Serie A matches this season. He missed over four months of action with a major hamstring injury midway through the 2024‑25 campaign.

At the end of last season he said he was “happy” to see head coach Antonio Conte leave, claiming a very different vision of football and that he never had the chance to play in his preferred position. Antonio Conte has since been replaced by Massimiliano Allegri.

Allegri’s January wish list shows Napoli desperate for reinforcements

Allegri’s tenure and Napoli’s struggles

Under Allegri, Napoli have lost seven of their first 15 matches, sit in 10th place in Serie A and are 14 points behind the leaders after 11 matches. Napoli have also lost three of their first four Champions League matches and sit 27th in the European standings, putting direct qualification for the round of 16 out of reach.

Despite Allegri’s claim that he has “done everything” to win De Bruyne over, the club’s future for the Belgian remains uncertain. Il Mattino added that “drastic decisions” about De Bruyne’s future cannot be ruled out during the January transfer window.

Napoli’s quiet summer transfer window means the club expects several January moves, with Allegri reportedly seeking at least three or four new signings. Reports suggested Lorenzo Lucca, Noa Lang and Andre‑Frank Zambo Anguissa could be among the players sacrificed in January.