According to Belgian media HLN, PSV Eindhoven hopes to sign De Bruyne in the winter transfer window, and the player himself is quite interested.
The report suggests that this was supposed to be a perfect match. After 10 years with Manchester City, he should have become a darling of Napoli. However, it turned out to be completely different. Even though Serie A is not as physically demanding or fast-paced, De Bruyne and Napoli never truly clicked.
De Bruyne's former coach, Conte, initially posed a significant obstacle. De Bruyne stated: "He has a different understanding of football, and I don't need to avoid that. I never really played in my best position."
Insiders revealed at the time that De Bruyne was already considering a transfer. He no longer wanted to work with Conte for another season. De Bruyne said: "I realized this season that football has to be enjoyable for me. Unfortunately, I didn't feel that under Conte."
Massimiliano Allegri was supposed to bring improvement and joy, as well as more attacking football. But like Conte, Massimiliano Allegri and De Bruyne quickly clashed. Massimiliano Allegri saw De Bruyne as a "number 6," with the Italian coach stating: "I told De Bruyne that he could extend his career by a few years in this position, but he didn't like it himself."
Last month, their conflict reached its peak. De Bruyne and Massimiliano Allegri argued during the Champions League match against Villarreal. Massimiliano Allegri said: "I asked him to drop back a bit, so that McTominay, who is more useful in attack, could play further forward. But we couldn't understand each other..."
The 35-year-old De Bruyne wants to do what he wants most and play in his favorite position.
That is, to play freely in a team that plays attractive, attacking football and can contend for titles. Napoli clearly doesn't fit that description: they currently have 15 points in Serie A, ranking 10th, and have only secured 3 points out of 12 in the Champions League, currently ranking 27th.
It is this reality that makes PSV Eindhoven want to offer him a way out. The Dutch champions are looking to strengthen their squad and are well aware of De Bruyne's current situation. PSV Eindhoven hopes to bring back the joy of playing football for De Bruyne, preferably this winter transfer window. Although the player, who has made 127 appearances for Belgium, will be out of contract in June and become a free agent, informed sources say that the two sides have been in talks for several weeks.
De Bruyne is quite interested in PSV Eindhoven. Dutch football and PSV Eindhoven coach Peter Bosz's attacking philosophy not only perfectly align with De Bruyne's view of football, but also give him the opportunity to return with his family to Belgium, especially to live in Boelderberg, which is only a 45-minute drive from Eindhoven.