Kevin De Bruyne gives ‘green light’ to next club after talks with director – Call scheduled with new manager | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne has reportedly given the ‘green light’ to his next move beyond the Etihad Stadium following talks in recent weeks.

The 33-year-old is aiming for his next steps in the final years of his top-level professional career after discussions with key Manchester City officials resulted in the Premier League side rejecting the idea of issuing renewed terms.

Viewed as arguably Manchester City’s greatest-ever players, CEO Ferran Soriano and sporting director Txiki Begiristain felt it necessary to part ways with De Bruyne naturally upon the expiration of his ongoing contract at the end of June.

From the side of the Belgian, he has admitted his belief that the decision was more ‘business’ minded, and many have agreed with one train of thought being that City officials have needed to free-up De Bruyne’s salary to reinvest in the squad this summer.

While there is no doubt a challenge on the horizon for Manchester City to replace De Bruyne in the creative ranks, work is ongoing from the player’s side to secure his own future amid widespread interest from across the globe.

Now, according to the information of Sky Sport’s Sacha Tavolieri, Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna met with the entourage of De Bruyne to offer the chance of becoming the club’s playmaker in a move validated by coach Antonio Conte and owner Aurelio De Laurentiis.

It is claimed that a formal offer to the Belgian could include a total salary package of around €7 million, supplemented by a signing bonus that will have to be agreed between the relevant parties involved.

Napoli also plan on a two-year contract with the option of a further 12 months, although the report points towards sources who say that that De Bruyne’s entourage would like to secure three guaranteed seasons as part of a contract.

From the side of the Belgium international, De Bruyne is said to have given the ‘green light’ to Napoli and has instructed those around him to begin negotiations and conclude a move before he goes on holiday this summer.

De Bruyne is said to want to prove via this move that he remains one of the best midfielders in the world, settle in quickly with the Serie A giants, and has already scheduled a call with his prospective next head coach, Antonio Conte.

The City great has fielded interest from all of Saudi Arabia, Major League Soccer, and other potential suitors in Europe, while there has been some discussion that a Premier League stay could be on the cards after the player himself failed to shut down the idea publicly.

Inter Miami became the first club to be heavily linked over in the US and the mouth-watering prospect of a link-up with Lionel Messi had many talking on social media. However, such an idea was played down following the emergence of The Chicago Fire as the leading MLS suitor.

The Middle-East has long been tied with interest in making De Bruyne their next blockbuster arrival to follow in the footsteps taken by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, and the midfielder himself has admitted to the draw of Saudi Arabia’s finances on offer.

But ultimately, it seems as though the football project, ability to remain at the very top of the game for as long as possible, and star in front of the world’s eyes will be at the forefront of De Bruyne’s thinking over the coming days and weeks.