Serie A Giants Eyeing Liverpool Forward in Ambitious Summer Overhaul | OneFootball

Napoli’s Ambitions Feature De Bruyne and Núñez

De Bruyne’s Surprise Move Nears Decision

Kevin De Bruyne’s decade at Manchester City appears to be drawing to a close. According to Corriere dello Sport, the Belgian playmaker is preparing for “his farewell to City at the end of the season,” and Napoli are poised to offer him a route into Serie A with a two-year deal.

This isn’t your typical transfer rumour. De Bruyne’s connection to Naples is rooted in personal ties — the report reveals that “Mrs. De Bruyne… flew to scout the city on behalf of the family,” searching for property. The couple have history in the area, having married on the Sorrento Peninsula back in 2017. That familiarity, combined with the presence of old friends like Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku, lends a surprising weight to the proposal.

At 33, De Bruyne — soon to be 34 — still wants to play “at a high level” and considers Napoli’s return to the Champions League an ideal opportunity. The offer on the table is more modest than his current €23 million-a-year earnings at City, but Napoli are selling more than just football — they are pitching lifestyle, Champions League football, and a meaningful role under Antonio Conte.

Photo IMAGO

Transfer Strategy Under Sporting Director Manna

Napoli’s new sporting director Giovanni Manna is shaping an aggressive summer strategy. His work with Juventus’ youth ranks hinted at boldness and vision — qualities he now applies at Napoli. “Manna was in Manchester to understand the room for manoeuvre and met Kevin,” the report says, underlining a proactive approach.

The club wants to bounce back from a disappointing campaign and restore its Scudetto-winning pedigree. A meeting with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is planned to outline objectives with Conte, who is demanding a team capable of challenging in Europe.

Núñez and Others on Napoli’s Radar

De Bruyne is not the only high-profile target. The article states: “In attack, eyes on Darwin Nuñez, a 25-year-old Uruguayan, rather on the sidelines in the last season with Liverpool.” With Liverpool under new management and Núñez’s form erratic, Napoli sense an opportunity to revive a player with raw potential.

Jonathan David, the Canadian forward from Lille, is another potential addition. Like De Bruyne, he is approaching free agency and would fit Napoli’s strategy of recruiting experience without splurging on transfer fees.

Also on the list are Samu Omorodion, a young talent with Porto, and Lee Kang-in of PSG — both aged 21–24, fitting a blend of youthful upside and top-level exposure.

Photo: IMAGO

Big Picture: Napoli’s Champions League Ambitions

The article frames Napoli’s transfer drive as a response to both footballing ambition and commercial logic. The Champions League demands pedigree, and De Bruyne — alongside names like Núñez and David — would restore Napoli’s competitive edge on the continental stage.

But this is also about vision and cohesion. Napoli are planning with intent, blending friendship networks, personal history, and market savvy to build a squad that reflects the club’s ambition and city’s allure.

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Darwin Núñez being linked to Napoli raises eyebrows — and not just due to his €85m price tag. While his finishing was inconsistent, Núñez’s energy, movement, and ability to disrupt defences created space for others. If he’s sold, it must be because Arne Slot has a clear replacement lined up, not as a panic sale.

Some fans might scoff at the idea of Napoli giving Núñez a fresh start, but Serie A has long been a revival ground for players needing rhythm and belief. Should he rediscover form there, questions will be asked about Liverpool’s handling of another big-money striker.

As for Kevin De Bruyne, he may no longer terrorise Premier League defences weekly, but his possible move to Napoli would still carry a sense of sadness for English football followers. Watching him orchestrate another Champions League run from a sun-drenched stadium in southern Italy would be poetic — and painful — for many fans on these shores.

In short: if Napoli pull off this double swoop, Liverpool must make sure they don’t end up watching from the sidelines as their former striker lights up Europe elsewhere.