Kevin De Bruyne and Napoli could be heading for a parting of ways at the end of the 2026/27 season, with talks over a new contract reportedly at a standstill.
The Belgian midfielder’s current deal runs until June 2027, but Italian transfer journalist Nicolò Schira reports that negotiations over an extension have reached an impasse, increasing the possibility that De Bruyne will leave Naples when his contract expires.
The situation comes only months after Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna insisted that the club still considered the 35 year old an important part of its plans.
Manna had said in July that De Bruyne signed a two year contract with an option for another season and remained an important part of the project under new manager Massimiliano Allegri. However, the reported breakdown in renewal talks has now cast fresh doubt over his long term future at the club.
De Bruyne joined Napoli in the summer of 2025 after ending his highly successful decade with Manchester City. During his time in England, he became one of City’s most influential players, winning several Premier League titles and the Champions League.
His first campaign in Italy was affected by injury, which kept him out for a considerable period. Although he remained an important player for Napoli, his fitness problems restricted his appearances.
The uncertainty surrounding his future has also emerged during a period of major change at Napoli. Antonio Conte departed after two seasons, with Allegri taking over as head coach.
De Bruyne had previously expressed disagreement with some aspects of Conte’s tactical approach, acknowledging that the two had different views on how the team should play. Although Manna admitted that he was unhappy with some of the midfielder’s comments, he maintained that the situation would not affect De Bruyne’s place in the squad.
While his club future remains unclear, De Bruyne continues to play an active role for Belgium. Following the 2026 World Cup, he said he had no immediate plans to retire from international football as long as he remained motivated and physically capable of competing at the highest level.
The midfielder has earned 124 caps for Belgium and has indicated that he believes he can continue representing his country for some time.
A departure from Napoli would mean another major club decision for De Bruyne after just two seasons in Italy. Earlier reports had linked him with potential moves to clubs in Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, although those reports came before Napoli publicly reaffirmed its commitment to him.
For now, De Bruyne remains under contract with Napoli until June 2027. The immediate uncertainty concerns the reported stalled renewal negotiations, rather than any confirmed early termination of his existing deal.
